On June 16, 2005 Selfhelp in partnership with the Institute for Retired Professionals at the New School presented a "Designated Aging Event" at the New School Swayduck Auditorium. This event will become part of the proceedings for the White House Conference on Aging scheduled for December 11th - 13th, 2005 in Washington, D.C.

The White House Conference takes place every 10 years and is designed to set the policy on aging for the next 10 years. Groups throughout the country have similar events. Selfhelp's conference was called "Successful Aging: Mind/Body." Divided into two panels; In panel one entitled "Active Involvement" we explored both activities for the well elderly like lifelong learning and volunteerism, then in panel two named "Assuring Support" support services like housing, long term care and mental health services were discussed. More than 150 people attended the conference and came away energized by what they heard and anxious to get involved in advocacy. Stuart Kaplan, CEO was moderator of panel two and Mary Mayer, a member of our board presented the recommendations that came from the audience. Valerie Bogart, Director of the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources program addressed the issues of long term care. We will be compiling the recommendations into a report for Washington and Selfhelp will be included in the White House Conference information provided to delegates in Washington.

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