University to host educational symposium about aging May 17

“Here’s a Health Carolina,” a new educational forum organized by the University of South Carolina’s health-science units, will present a symposium on aging in America as its inaugural event.

The symposium will take place at the Russell House University Union 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17. Topics for discussion will include senior independence, the impact of the baby-boomer generation on healthcare and methods for achieving physical and mental wellness in older adults.

Speakers will include Joyce Dubow, a senior adviser for the American Association of Retired People’s (AARP) office of policy and strategy; Dr. Paul Eleazer, a professor of medicine at the University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine and director of the division of geriatrics in the department of internal medicine; and Dr. Patrick Hickey, a clinical assistant professor at the university and the first registered nurse to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Dubow will speak at 9:30 a.m. on changes in national healthcare policy. Eleazer’s talk, “Meeting the Needs of Older South Carolinians: An Update on the SeniorSMART Center,” is set for 10 a.m.

Hickey, a registered nurse for 30 years, will speak at 12:30 p.m. His talk is titled, “Are You Within Reach of Your Summit?”

At 11 a.m., the university’s health sciences deans will make brief remarks, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session with all the speakers.

“Here’s a Health Carolina” is presented by the university’s School of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, Arnold School of Public Health and the College of Social Work.

To register and to get more information, visit www.sc.edu/symposia/hahc/index.php.