Two-day conference to focus on aging issues

The health and welfare of older Mainers will be the centerpiece for a state-sponsored two-day conference in Augusta next week.

On Monday and Tuesday, state policy-makers, invited guests and members of the public will convene at the Augusta Civic Center for discussions on a wide range of topics.

The seminars include: making communities ready for retirees, financial planning for seniors, how seniors can maintain good health, how seniors can contribute to their communities, learning options for seniors, retirement planning, attracting military retirees to Maine, mental health and aging, technology in health care, the arts and health care, and the impact of aging on public revenues.

Maine has the fourth oldest population in the country, according to the 2000 Census. Older people are expected to comprise an increasing percentage of the state’s population in the future.

At a recent press conference about the “Governors’ Conference on Retirement and Aging,” Gov. Angus King and former Gov. Kenneth Curtis said retired people should be seen as an economic force in the community. King said 14 percent of the population is older than 65, but that will jump to 20 percent in a couple decades.

King will moderate a town meeting with attendees Monday. Authors and experts will address the audience.

The keynote speaker Monday is Dr. Robert Butler, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his book “Why Survive? Being Old in America.” On Tuesday the keynote speaker is Marc Freedman, author of “Prime Time: How Baby Boomers Will Revolutionize Retirement and Transform America.”

Registration is $50 for individuals and $110 for businesses and organizations. For information about the conference, visit www.maineaging.com or call (207) 797-6016.