Family Re-Union 9: Families and Seniors Across Generations

FAMILY RE-UNION 9:
Families and Seniors Across Generations
November 20, 2000

Family Reunion 9 focused on the issues, strengths and needs of family members of all ages. The conference explored creative strategies that improve the lives of these families at home and in the community. Like previous conferences, Family Reunion 9 highlighted programs, policy issues, and research to help communities, states and the federal government respond effectively to these ideas.

In 2030 there will be twice as many Americans over 65 as there were in 1990. Increasing numbers of Americans live longer, and remain more active as they age. They represent a tremendous civic resource that is frequently untapped. Participants learned about opportunities for seniors to be engaged with children, for young people to work with seniors.

Other elders are more frail and families need help in planning for their care. Panelists and participants looked at ways to support family members of all generations as they plan and make choices about living arrangements, health and mental health care, and quality of life.

Through a series of planning meetings, interviews and ongoing research, the conference program was shaped by key questions:

• How can the invaluable contribution of seniors in our society be expanded and enhanced?
• How can the strengths of each generation be used to meet the needs of the others?
• What is the role of families in ensuring quality health and mental health care for elders?
• How can we support and care for elders while encouraging them to maintain an independent life? How can we maintain the health and mental health of caregivers of all generations?
• How can we maximize the contribution of wisdom, experience and dedication of elders to secure our children's future? What can we learn from other cultures and traditions?
• What is the potential synergy between elder care and childcare? How can we support grandparents raising grandchildren?
• What can seniors give to, and gain from, education at every level? What are the options for meaningful work as we age?
• How seniors connect more effectively to family and friends? What are the challenges of communicating between the generations?
• How can multi-generation families maintain financial security? What is the importance of flexible work arrangements?
• What changes in policy are necessary to address these questions?

WORKING GROUPS FOR FAMILY REUNION 9:

FAMILIES AND SENIORS

Across the Generations

Each of these topics will be explored from the point of view of its impact on the whole family, helping families find creative solutions, and involving all generations.

1. Maintaining health across the life span
2. Supporting mental health for seniors and caregivers
3. Families caring for seniors
4. Seniors caring for others
5. The power of intergenerational programs
6. Active aging and civic engagement for all generations
7. Opportunities for life long learning, teaching and meaningful work
8. Families and elders in different cultures
9. Designs for living: giving families and communities the choices they need
10. Flexible work arrangements and financial security for multi-generation families

Information about the conference agenda and presenters are posted on this web site.