The National Center on Senior Transportation and the American Society on Aging developed "Mobility Equals Independence," a special pair of free one-hour Web seminars. These seminars will help providers, planners and elder advocates throughout the country gain insight into transportation issues facing older adults and assist them as they create a vision for change.

Video Web Seminar- Mobility Equals Independence: Creating Greater Transportation Options for Older Adults
Click here to view

This first in the series on hour-long Web seminars, was recorded in Fall 2008.  The seminar, opens with an overview of mobility issues facing older adults and the role that coordinated transportation plays in providing a range of transportation options by Mary A. Leary, senior director of Easter Seals Project ACTION, the National Center on Senior Transportation, and other Transportation Initiatives. The Honorable Josefina G. Carbonell, longest serving Assistant Secretary of Aging and over 30-year leader in community-based long term care services, and the Honorable James S. Simpson, who has served as Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, Commissioner of the New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority, and who has a long history of supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in public service, are featured speakers.  They discuss current federal government initiatives aimed at meeting the growing needs for older adult transportation and advancing better coordination for more effective service.  Their remarks are followed by Sandy Markwood from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging discussing “A Blueprint for Action” based on findings of "The Maturing of America" study, a comprehensive report on communities’ aging readiness. Bill Millar from the American Public Transit Association discusses the challenges and successes in making public transit attractive, accessible, convenient, affordable, and a pleasant riding experience.  Each presenter outlines a call for local actions.

 

Mobility Equals Independence: Practical Applications
Recorded October 15. To view the Web Seminar, please click here

This seminar moves from discussion of plans and programs to the specifics of operations. Presenters from two innovative agencies described by Josefina Carbonell and Sandy Markwood will be featured.  Lynnda Bassham discusses the strides South Carolina’s Lower Savannah Area Agency on Aging has made in coordinating the planning process for community transit counseling.

Sharon Lynn From Fairfax County AAA using a community blueprint has been instrumental in coordinating aging service programs with planning departments to make their local blueprint a reality.

These seminars and a vast library of information, from the planning documents on the national level to exceptional examples and free technical assistance and referrals are made available through the National Center on Senior Transportation, www.seniortransportation.net.  Funded by the Federal Transit Administration, the National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) is a partnership between Easter Seals and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

 

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Art and Dementia

 

In this lecture Dr. Bruce Miller explores creativity associated with the visual arts.   A definition of art is offered and several theories regarding art are described.  This is followed by a discussion of the right versus left brain systems involved with the production of a painting.  Subsequently, what is known about the brain organization in artists versus non-artists is outlined.  Neurodegenerative disorders have been an unexpected model for thinking about creativity, particularly frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) where a small but significant number of individuals develop a new interest and ability in art in the beginning stages of their illness.  Therefore, art in FTLD versus Alzheimer's disease (AD) is described. Click here for more information and to register for this FREE video web seminar.

“Arbutus Leaves,” courtesy Brain (2002)	“Unraveling Bolero,” courtesy Brain (1994)

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Building Awareness and Actions to Promote Brain Health

For anyone looking for thought-provoking background to help shape a message about the need for programs that will keep elders’ minds active and healthy, the American Society on Aging announces a new online resource. A streaming video web cast of a session from the 2007 ASA-NCOA Joint Conference presents findings from surveys conducted by ASA, the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP on public perceptions about elders’ brain health. Click here for more information and to register for this FREE video web seminar.

lgbt@asaging.org