Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D. Pris Rogers, Ph.D. Neva Fairchild & Audrey Demmitt American Foundation for the Blind 2015 AER Vision Loss in Older Adults and Veterans Conference photo: Jonel Hanopo, flickr creative commons Themes from a National Conversation on Aging and Vision Loss 1

After attending this session, participants will... 1.have increased understanding of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging, the Conference's key themes, and policy implications connected to the Conference. 2.have increased awareness of issues and concerns commonly raised by older Americans with vision loss, particularly in connection to the White House Conference themes of retirement security, healthy aging, long-term services and supports, and elder justice. 3.be prepared with resources and actionable suggestions for improving programs, services, and supports for older Americans with vision loss. Unless otherwise mentioned, all images are from afb.org or visionaware.org Objectives 2

Introduction: – What is the White House Conference on Aging? – How did AFB spark a national conversation on aging and vision loss? – What have we learned so far? Small-group discussions: What can we do to address these concerns as individuals, communities, organizations, and state and national advocates? – Healthy Aging – Long-Term Services and Supports – Retirement Security – Elder Justice Agenda 3

Image: whitehouseconferenceonaging.org WHAT IS THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON AGING? 4

A NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON AGING AND VISION LOSS 5

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED SO FAR? 6

73 organizational signatures Sent to President Obama; Executive Directors, Secretaries, and Senior Advisors in federal agencies; and Congressional Caucuses and Committees Letter accompanied by 16 page report Letter to the White House 7

Managing medications and monitoring diabetes Accessing medical care Accessibility of health- related information Patient advocacy Staying healthy (preventative care, exercise, and healthy eating) Mental health Healthy Aging 8

Specific types of supports needed (daily living, medication management, mobility, support groups) Barriers to participating in services, receiving supports Effectiveness of services and supports Long-Term Services and Supports 9

Limited opportunities to work Limitations in saving for retirement Additional expenses related to vision loss Financial management and financial literacy Retirement Security 10

Accessibility of text- based information Abuse, scams, discrimination, and theft Accessing the legal system Elder Justice 11

What can we do to address these concerns as individuals, communities, organizations, and state and national advocates? Healthy Aging Long-Term Services and Supports Retirement Security Elder Justice Continuing the Conversation 12

WRAP UP! WHAT DID YOU DISCUSS? WHAT CAN WE DO? 13

og/visionaware-blog/a- summary-of-the-white-house- conference-on-aging-issues- and-initiatives-part-one/12 og/visionaware-blog/a- summary-of-the-white-house- conference-on-aging-issues- and-initiatives-part-one/12 conferenceonaging.gov conferenceonaging.gov Dr. Rebecca Sheffield: Dr. Pris Rogers: Image: NN – norden.org Stay in touch! 14