[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25175]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration on Aging; White House Conference on Aging

 

Proposed Agenda for the 1995 White House Conference on Aging; 
Request for Public Comment on the Proposed Agenda

AGENCY: White House Conference on Aging, AoA, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed agenda for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Policy Committee of the White House Conference on Aging is 
publishing its proposed Conference agenda for public comment as 
required by Public Law 102-375, the Older Americans Act Amendments of 
1992. Part I of the proposed agenda is a listing of several themes, 
Part II is a listing of the major issues and subissues and Part III 
proposes a process for review of the Conference recommendations. 
Comments are invited on:

(1) Choice of a theme (Part I);
(2) Choice of issues and subissues to be addressed at the Conference 
(Part II);
(3) Linkage of issues and subissues to ensure delegates are informed on 
all issues (Part II); and
(4) Review of Conference recommendations by the Advisory and Policy 
Committees (Part III).

    The Conference is to be held May 2-5, 1995 in Washington, DC.

DATES: Comments on the proposed agenda and post-conference 
recommendation process must be received on or before December 1, 1994. 
The Policy Committee has decided to set aside as much time as practical 
to ensure a wide range of input from all interested organizations and 
individuals. All public comments received will be valuable in 
structuring the draft final agenda which is to be completed in January 
for review by the Policy Committee.

ADDRESSES: All comments concerning this proposed agenda should be 
addressed to Robert B. Blancato, Executive Director, White House 
Conference on Aging, 501 School Street, SW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC 
20024-2755. Comments may be mailed to Mr. Blancato at the above address 
or FAXed to (202) 245-7857. His INTERNET address (CONFERENCE@BAN-
GATE.AOA.DHHS.GOV) may also be used to submit comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
White House Conference on Aging, 501 School Street SW., 8th Floor, 
Washington, DC 20024-2755 or the White House Conference on Aging 
Information Line at (202) 245-7815. To provide 24-hour coverage, calls 
to this number may be answered by an answering machine.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 102-375 requires that the Policy 
Committee (which oversees the 1995 White House Conference on Aging) 
formulate and approve a proposed agenda for the Conference and that 
this proposed agenda be published in the Federal Register for public 
comment.
    The statutory language urges the 1995 White House Conference on 
Aging (WHCoA) to work jointly with States, individuals, and public and 
private organizations to develop a proposed agenda which reflects the 
major issues facing older Americans and their communities. The 
collection of public comments began immediately after President Clinton 
formally called for the 1995 WHCoA in February 1994. Special emphasis 
has been placed on soliciting suggestions and ideas from a wide range 
of sources--especially from the grassroots.
    Input received from a variety of local, state, regional and 
national events conducted on behalf of the WHCoA over the past several 
months points toward an agenda which goes beyond traditional boundaries 
and paints a broader picture of aging--an agenda that looks at the 
present and the future. This Conference should examine a wide range of 
issues, including the needs and contributions of today's and tomorrow's 
older citizens. This far-reaching examination is evident in the broad 
support which has emerged for a theme and issues which incorporate the 
generational aspects of aging. Congress also included the generational 
issue in the statute by mandating that the Conference look at the 
interdependence of generations, the contributions of older individuals 
to societal well-being and the commonality of problems facing both 
older and younger individuals.
    Initial suggestions from the grassroots for Conference themes and 
agenda issues have been used by the Policy Committee to develop the 
proposed agenda for the 1995 WHCoA. Over 400 pre-conference events have 
been held around the country to develop policy recommendations for 
building the agenda for the Conference.

Part I. Themes

    Below is a listing of proposed themes from which we expect the 
final theme for the Conference to emerge based primarily on the public 
comments received. These four proposed themes are:
     Aging into the 21st Century: Generations Working Together 
for a Better Community.
     Investing in an Aging Society into the 21st Century: 
Independence, Opportunity and Dignity for All Americans.
     Investing Now in America's Future: A Lifetime of 
Productivity and Opportunity.
     America Now and into the 21st Century: Growing Older with 
Independence, Opportunity and Dignity.
    The public is invited to indicate a preferred theme from among 
these alternatives or to suggest additional themes for consideration by 
the Policy Committee.

Part II. Issues

    This part of the proposed agenda is a listing of major issues and 
subissues derived from a variety of sources, including:

(1) Recommendations from past White House Conferences on Aging;
(2) Recommendations produced by events preceding the 1995 WHCoA; and
(3) Input from national aging organizations, professionals and 
advocates.

    We are eliciting comments on the relative importance of these 
issues and subissues. We are also seeking suggestions on ways to link 
the various issues and subissues.
    The major issues and subissues identified by the Policy Committee 
are listed below in alphabetical order:

Arts and Humanities

     Access
     Contributions by Elderly
     Continuing Eduation
     Therapy

Crime/Personal Safety

     Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
     Neighborhood Violence and Safety
     Prevention and Protection
     Domestic Violence
     Enforcement
     Fear of Crime and Social Isolation
     Consumer Fraud

Cultural Diversity

     Access to Services
     Civil Rights
     Cultural Sensitivity
     Cultural Contributions or Cultural Enrichment
     Language
     Literacy

Employment

     Extended Full-time and Continued Employment Options
     Part-Year, Part-Time and Re-employment Options
     Education and Training
     Age Discrimination
     Downsizing
     Underemployment
     Pre-retirement
     Phased Retirement
     Access to Work-related Benefits

Families and Family Life

     Impact of Demographic Changes
     Ethnicity
     Partnerships with Caregiving Agencies

Health

     Prevention/Wellness
     Nutrition/Exercise
     Health Care Reform
     Long-term Care: Home, Community-based and Institutional
     Medicare
     Medicaid
     Acute Care
     Mental Health and Substance Abuse
     Disabilities/Assistive Devices
     Rehabilitation
     Health Problems of the Aged
     Access
     Death/Dying
     Hearing and Vision Impairment
     Medication (prescription and non-prescription drugs)
     Medical Supplies and Durable Medical Equipment
     Women's Health
     Negative Attitudes of Professionals

Housing/Social and Community Services

     Range of Affordable Options
     Service Infrastructure
     Accessible Housing
     Public and Assisted Housing
     Alternative Housing Arrangements
     Financing Options
     Community, Georgraphic and Demographic Changes
     Home Maintenance
     Senior Centers
     Independent Living
     Intergenerational Supports
     Aging in Place

Image of Older People

     Positive and Accurate Portrayal
     Stereotypes
     Media/Advertising

Income Security and Other Benefits

     Social Security (including gender-based discrimination)
     Economic Growth
     Tax and Budget Policies
     Income
     Pensions (including gender-based discrimination)
     Savings and Asset Management
     SSI
     Food Stamps

Interdependence of Generations

     Caregivers
     Grandparents as Caregivers
     Reciprocity

Older Americans Act and Its Role

     Aging Network
     Community Planning
     Senior Centers
     Targeting
     Native Americans/Minority/Rural
     Senior Employment
     Training Professionals and Paraprofessionals
     Social/Supportive/Nutrition Services
     Elder Rights
     Advocacy

Productive Older People

     Work Force Participation
     Volunteerism/Mentoring
     Community Involvement
     Older People as Caregivers
     Corporation for National and Community Service
     Political/Civic Participation

Quality of Life/Meaning in Later Years

     Autonomy
     Ethics and Values
     Education and Training Options
     Spiritual Well-being
     Religion
     Leisure and Recreational Activities
     Life-long Learning
     Aging in Place
     Safeguarding Cultural/Linguistic Integrity

Research and Education/Training

     Biomedical, Behavioral and Social Sciences
     Employment
     Public Policy
     Information, Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Rights/Responsibilities/Advocacy

     Civil Rights
     Discrimination
     Empowerment
     Guardianship/Conservatorship
     Legal Issues
     Legislative Oversight

Role of the Private Sector

     Marketing
     Consumers
     Service Providers

Special Constituencies

     Older Women
     Elders of Color, Minority and Ethnic Elders
     Veterans
     Persons with Disabilities
     Oldest Old
     Elders Living in Poverty or Near Poverty Line
     Homeless
     Mentally Ill
     Mental Retardation/Development Disabilities
     Substance Abuse
     Gays/Lesbians
     Persons Living with AIDS/HIV
     Rural
     Urban
     Family-less Individuals
     Elders Living Alone
     Older Prisoners

Technology

     Assistive Devices
     Information Superhighway
     Possibilities

Transportation

     Older Drivers
     Accessibility
     Public Investment
     Options
    As previously mentioned, comments are invited on the above list as 
well as on other issues and subissues which should be addressed at the 
Conference. Public comment is also invited on a strategy for 
effectively linking issues and subissues both for discussion and for 
developing recommendations.
    It is anticipated that a large number of responses will be received 
from the public during the comment period. All comments received will 
be reviewed and answered. The Policy Committee will establish 
priorities among the issues based on public response to the proposed 
agenda. These prioritized issues will ultimately provide the foundation 
for the final Conference agenda which will be published in the Federal 
Register. Conference delegates will receive information about the final 
agenda in advance of the Conference to allow them to prepare and 
actively participate in the 1995 WHCoA.

Part III. Post-Conference Action on Recommendations

    During the Conference, delegates will begin the process of 
establishing priorities for action among the recommendations they 
produce. Immediately after the Conference, the Advisory Committee 
(appointed by the President), followed by the Policy Committee, will be 
responsible for further developing the prioritized recommendations of 
the Conference for inclusion in the proposed Conference report.
    This proposed report will be submitted to each State Governor for 
review and comment as required by the Statute. After reviewing the 
comments of the Governors, the Policy Committee will prepare and 
approve an initial report of the Conference to be published in the 
Federal Register. The Policy Committee will also prepare a separate 
report on the necessary administrative and legislative actions to 
implement the recommendations in the Conference report.
    The final Conference report will serve as a catalyst as well as 
provide a blueprint for proposed post-WHCoA implementation activities. 
This action-oriented blueprint will provide the framework for immediate 
and longer-term actions to implement the Conference's highest priority 
recommendations. This blueprint will also identify areas and tasks in 
which the public and private sectors, governmental and non-governmental 
organizations and agencies, can play a role in implementing the 
Conference recommendations. These may include private initiatives as 
well as the enactment of public policies and laws affecting aging 
Americans, their families and their communities now and into the 21st 
century.

    Dated: October 6, 1994.
Fernando M. Torres-Gil,
Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. 94-25175 Filed 10-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4130-02-M