The 17th Annual Care of the Elderly Conference “Get Health: Promoting Health Literacy for Older Alaskans” was held on September 25-26, 2009 at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka. The conference focused on exploring issues and solutions that impact the ability of older Alaskans to obtain, process, and understand health information to make appropriate decisions for health care and lifestyle. Designed to present an overview of current issues in the care of elders, the objective of the conference was to provide new strategies and methods for improving the function, vitality, and overall quality of life of the elderly.

The conference featured 15 different speakers during the two day event. Barry Weiss, MD from the University of Arizona, College of Medicine presented the opening keynote Friday morning, “Health Literacy: The Hidden Risk Factor” describing the prevalence and risk factors for limited health literacy, the implications of low health literacy for patients, and recommendations for communicating with patients in ways and with words they will understand.

Each year the conference attracts professional health care providers, social workers, counselors, seniors and family caregivers from Alaska and other states. The full conference offers 10.16 contact hours.

The conference is co-sponsored by Alaska Geriatric Education Center, Alaska Mental Health Trust Training Cooperative, Center for Community in Sitka and the University of Alaska Southeast Office of Continuing Education.

Photo: Dr. Loren Lipson, MD, Professor Emeritus, Geriatric Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, USC presents to a full room of conference-goers at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka.