The 10th Annual Alaska Disability and Aging Summit, themed “Inclusive Aging in Alaska: Thriving and Growing Together,” will be held on October 8 and 9 in Anchorage. Organized by the Alaska Disability and Aging Coalition, the event will be hybrid, allowing participants to attend both in person at the Special Olympics Alaska Jim Balamaci Training Center and online via Zoom.
The summit's goal is to unite Alaskans to discuss national and state trends related to aging, specifically focusing on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and how these issues impact Alaska. The increasing life expectancy of individuals with intellectual disabilities represents a significant achievement, reflecting advances in healthcare and shifts in societal attitudes. However, this progress has also created a gap in care for the aging IDD population, underscoring the need for more education, training, and research on how to provide appropriate care for these individuals as they grow older.
Summit Sessions will address a variety of topics, including disabilities and relationships, dementia, innovative senior housing, advocacy in healthcare settings, and navigating end-of-life care.
Keynote speaker Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, known for her participation in the Capitol Crawl as a child, will share her insights on advocacy. Additionally, the event will feature an action panel with local representatives and senators, as well as an elder panel discussing their experiences with aging and strategies for aging well. A vendor fair with over 20 organizations will provide networking opportunities and resources for attendees.
The summit aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities can continue to thrive as they age. For more information, contact 907-222-7625 ext. 612.
