NOTE: This press release was originally sent by the White House Conference on Aging.

The White House Conference on Aging (WHCOA) is launching a series of regional forums to engage with older Americans, their families, caregivers, leaders in the aging field, and others on the key issues affecting older Americans.  Meeting locations include Tampa, FL on February 19th; Phoenix, AZ on March 31st; Seattle, WA on April 2nd; Cleveland, OH on April 27th; and Boston, MA on May 28th.  The forums are designed to help provide input and ideas for the 2015 White House Conference on Aging, which will be held in Washington, DC later this year. 

“These forums allow us the opportunity to listen and learn from older adults and stakeholders as we continue to sharpen the vision of this year’s Conference and to directly engage with individuals across the country about these important issues,” said Nora Super, Executive Director of the White House Conference on Aging, “The regional forums will help ensure that as many voices as possible are part of the conversation around the 2015 Conference.”

The regional forums are being co-sponsored with AARP and co-planned with the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), a coalition of more than 70 of the nation’s leading organizations serving older Americans.  Participation is by invitation, but the events will be webcast to various locations.

“The White House Conference on Aging gives Americans and policymakers from both parties an opportunity to address the potential and the challenges that come with aging,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “AARP hopes that Americans of all ages participate in this important process.” AARP is currently chair of the LCAO.

The White House Conference on Aging has been held once a decade, beginning in 1961 and is designed to help chart the course of aging policy.  The 2015 Conference will focus on four areas:  ensuring retirement security; promoting healthy aging; providing long-term services and supports; and protecting older Americans from financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect.  Additional information on Conference activities can be found at whitehouseconferenceonaging.gov.

*The date for the Seattle event was updated.

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About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more atwww.aarp.org.

CONTACTS:
White House Conference on Aging, 202-619-3636
AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org, @AARPMedia