In recent weeks, I’ve continued to engage with older Americans, families, caregivers, researchers, and leaders in the aging field as we prepare for the 2015 White House Conference on Aging.

                        

                                        Listening Session at California Commission on Aging, September 29, 2014.

I had a wonderful listening session with the California Commission on Aging in Sacramento and a terrific one in Chicago with the Older Women’s League.  In New York City, I met with volunteers and professional helpline counselors who counsel Medicare beneficiaries, as well as employers who are working to shed light on solutions for 21st Century demographic challenges, including recognizing the needs of caregivers in the workplace.  It’s been an incredible opportunity to listen and learn from so many people who are redefining what it means to be an older American and helping to ensure that older adults enjoy not only longer—but better lives.

In my conversations, a few common themes have emerged: 

• Preparing for financial needs in retirement. Retirement security can provide well-being and peace of mind as we age, but people need to prepare during their working lives.  Although Americans are living longer, only half of our workforce have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans.  Participants underscored the need to rethink how to achieve a secure financial foundation for retirement. In addition, they stressed that ensuring opportunities for older Americans who want to stay in the workforce can provide additional avenues for income security in retirement. 
•  Striving to remain healthy as we age.  Living longer in good health means supporting healthy habits like eating well, exercise, and regular health screenings as well as not smoking and reducing risks for preventable injuries like falls. There are interesting models being developed  bringing together enhanced partnerships among health care services, aging services, and housing to help support older Americans thriving in their communities as they age. 
  
• Supporting older Americans in their communities.  Despite efforts to stay healthy, many older adults will eventually develop some limitations.  They may need long-term services and supports to continue to thrive in their homes and communities.  There are opportunities to explore new options to assist Americans in preparing for these needs as they age and ensuring they have access to a skilled workforce to help provide these services. 
• Protecting older adults from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. The human and economic costs of elder abuse on the health, well-being, independence, and financial security of older adults are enormous and are paid for by older Americans, families, and society.  HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee and I recently engaged with law, policy, and legal service development and delivery practitioners about strategies to address elder abuse. 

These four issues will provide the focus areas for the 2015 White House Conference on Aging. They are intended to support the dignity, independence, and quality of life of older Americans at a time when we’re seeing a huge surge in the number of older adults.

  As we continue to sharpen our vision for the White House Conference on Aging, we need your voice to be heard:  And we all have something to add to the discussion.  As a longevity expert in California reminded me, “We’re all aging; some of us just have more experience.”  Keep visiting our website.  Tell us your thoughts, ideas, and stories.  Let us know the issues and programs most important to you, and sign-up to receive updates on Conference activities.