As America's senior population grows, meeting to outline effective education about aging

The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE)—the educational branch of The Gerontological Society of America—will hold its 40th Annual Meeting and Educational Leadership Conference from February 27 to March 2 at the Westin Denver Downtown in Denver, CO.

This conference provides a forum for professionals in the field of aging to present their work and share ideas about gerontological and geriatric education and training. The theme for 2014 is "Taking Educational Quality to New Heights." Complete meeting details are available at http://www.aghe.org. Below are some highlights from the four-day program.

"Survival or Sustainability" with Karen Buck of Nonprofit Impact

Opening Plenary Session: Thursday, February 27, 6:30 p.m.

Leaders of higher education gerontology and geriatrics programs are tasked with developing and sustaining high-quality programs in a quickly changing and increasingly difficult environment. It can be tempting to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure short term survival. But leaders who want to respond rather than just react—those who want to take advantage of opportunities and not just grapple with obstacles—need new tools, skills, and best practices. Consultant Karen Buck will share those best practices from the fields of business, leadership, and management to provide educational leaders a tested, realistic approach to develop high quality programs designed for long-term sustainability and impact.

"Public Policy Town Hall"

Friday, February 28, 10 a.m.

The implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides challenges and opportunities for higher education to prepare an educated and skilled workforce to serve the growing older adult population. This session will provide the rationale for educational institutions, training organizations, service providers, business and not-for-profit organizations to become involved in workforce policy advocacy.

"Securing the Future of Gerontology in Higher Education: A Provost's Perspective on the Need to Professionalize Gerontology" with Robbyn Wacker of the University of Northern Colorado

Closing Plenary Session: Sunday, March 2, 11 a.m.

The articles in "Accreditation in Gerontology: Opportunities and Challenges," a 2012 special edition of Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, captured the many sides of the ~40 year-old debate regarding the wisdom of establishing accreditation for gerontology programs. Is it time to move forward? Robbyn Wacker, PhD, the provost and senior vice president at the University of Northern Colorado, will present an administrative perspective about why the changing context of higher education necessitates accreditation for gerontology programs to secure its future as a profession.

Provided by The Gerontological Society of America