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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Tamar Heller, PhD, Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608, 312-413-1647, theller@uic.edu

With the increasing numbers of adults aging with developmental disabilities and with increasing numbers of these individuals living with aging caregivers, we need to address critical needs related to healthy aging and the provision of community living options. Key recommendations from the 2005 White House Conference on Aging with particular relevance to the needs of this population includes: 1) Supports for aging caregivers, 2) promotion of health and prevention of Secondary conditions for those aging with a disability, and 3) development and use of technology to assist aging in place and to break down barriers to community participation. This presentation will examine each of these factors and provide examples of practical approaches and actions that can be taken to support healthy aging of individuals with disabilities and their families.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will be able to describe an ecological model of health for individuals with disabilities.
• Attendees will be able to list evidenced based practices that can prevent or avoid secondary disabilities in aging individuals with disabilities.
• Attendees will be able to explain the importance of assistive technology and universal design in creating livable, healthy communities for individuals with disabilities.

Keywords: Aging, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No