By 2030, the Census Bureau projects there will – for the first time in history – be more residents 65 and older than children in the United States.
This change in demographics will fundamentally change the delivery of products and services to meet the needs of today’s aging population.
That’s why Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. is hosting the 2018 Embrace Aging Forum to connect older adults and boomers to resources and health, wellness, financial and legal experts in Chattanooga.
Open to individuals, families, caregivers and professionals in aging, the second annual forum will be held Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Doubletree in downtown Chattanooga.
The keynote speaker, Dianne Gray, has been educating families internationally for years on the benefits of being proactive in having the tough conversations around aging.
“To live fiercely is to live proactively,’’ Gray says. “How we live, up until that very last breath, is largely a matter of choice. It is quite freeing to care for one’s family by making decisions on end of life, which is really about life itself.’’
“The good news is once these conversations are shared, most people see that it really wasn’t that painful anyway. Fear is what caused the reticence not having the actual conversation itself.
“The Embrace Aging Forum offers a proactive space for individuals and families to decide on the legacy they want to leave behind. I’m honored to be a part of their experience by inspiring and guiding families through those difficult conversations.”
Gray is the chief executive officer for Hospice and Healthcare Communications, official spokesperson and board member of the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation and chief innovation and patient advocacy officer for Acclivity Health Solutions.
She is also an award-winning writer and journalist and a global expert on hospice and palliative care.
Forum attendees will have the option to attend sessions on topics covering current trends, transference of wealth, family values, Medicare, long-term care planning, financial and legal considerations, public policy and philanthropy.
Dana Perry, a certified elder law attorney at Chambliss, has been serving the aging population for over 25 years and understands the necessity for families to embrace aging as early as possible.
“Boomers are such an important segment of our community, and most families have a loved one within this demographic,” Perry says. “We need to commit now to living the best life possible as we age by planning for benefits, health care and assets and seriously consider how these impact our families.”
The all-day forum will include the keynote presentation by Gray, breakout sessions led by top professionals in aging and one-on-one time with more than 20 vendors. A trends panel in the afternoon will focus on the intersection of technology and aging.
The forum is supported by a variety of sponsors, which include Southeastern Trust Company, UBS, Thrive at Brow Wood, Elliott Davis, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Hospice of Chattanooga, WTCI, Bridgewater Resolution Group, LLC, CHI Memorial, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and Elmcroft of Hamilton Place.
General admission is $60 with a discounted rate of $55 for adults age 55 and older. Registration includes a continental breakfast and a buffet lunch, and complimentary valet parking will be provided to ensure easy access to the forum.
Tickets and more information are available at www.embraceagingforum.com.