Conference looks to help Iowa’s senior citizens

Census data shows Iowa’s population is clearly aging, and a conference starting today in West Des Moines zeroes in on improving the lives of older Iowans. The 22nd Annual Governor’s Conference on Aging features 40 workshops, according to Judy Conlin, administrator of the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs, who says the workshops cover a variety of topics including health care, financial planning, career changes and legal issues. Conlin says she expects more older Iowans, health care professionals and family caregivers to attend this year’s conference than ever before.A new U-S Census Bureau report finds the number of Iowans 85-years-old and older increased during the past decade by 18-percent. Also, Iowa has the second-highest percentage of people 85 and older in the nation, behind only South Dakota. At the conference, Governor Vilsack will recognize Iowans who’ve reached their 100th birthdays and he’ll present awards to people and organizations which have provided outstanding services to older Iowans. The conference at the University Park Holiday Inn concludes tomorrow.