Date: Sep 11, 2007

"Safer Homes, More Livable Communities: Design Strategies for Aging in Place"

Thursday, October 25, 2007; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Safer Homes, More Livable Communities: Design Strategies for Aging in Place, a conference for professionals concerned with making homes and communities safer for older people, will be presented by Hofstra University on October 25, 2007.  The event is geared toward architects, urban planners, interior designers, builders and contractors, geriatric care managers, home health workers and geriatric care workers.

Co-sponsored by AARP, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center, the conference is presented by Hofstra University’s School of Education and Allied Human Services and the Gerontology Center of its Department of Counseling, Research, Special Education and Rehabilitation.

Topics to be discussed include “Transportation Issues,” “Safer Homes, More Livable Communities” and “Aging in Place.” Afternoon workshops will feature “NORCs (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) – Design Issues,” “Home Safety – Design Issues,” and “Livable Communities.”

Speakers include:

Michael O’Neal of the AARP Livable Communities Project works with other professional organizations, such as the American Planning Association, American Institute of Architects, Enterprise Foundation, NeighborWorks and others. He also works directly with AARP state offices as they develop their local community initiatives.

Ron Stein, president, Vision Long Island, one of the region’s pre-eminent land use planning organizations. With an emphasis on broad stakeholder participation, new approaches to housing, open space preservation, traffic and pedestrian safety and the creation of walkable, attractive communities have become priorities on a local and regional level across Long Island.

Joseph M. Monticciolo, FAIA, is regional administrator/regional housing commissioner for the Department of  Housing and Urban Development, Region II, New York (1981 to 1988).  He was responsible for all HUD programs for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, encompassing public housing, development, CIAP, Comp. grant and modernization projects, mortgage insurance, subsidized housing, community development and urban development action grants.

Howard Foster, R-LCSW, director of adult services at the Mid-Island Y JCC and adjunct professor of social work at Adelphi University. In his position at the JCC, he oversees two NORCs in the Plainview-Old Bethpage area. These programs enable seniors to age in place, thus preventing assisted living and nursing home placements.

Edward M. Hennessey has been working in the Suffolk County Executive’s Office for the Aging since August 2004. He monitors senior programs funded through the Suffolk County Office for the Aging and oversees the 10 town residential repair programs that offer minor home repairs to seniors who can no longer make the repairs themselves or afford to hire a handyman.

Elissa Friedman, LCSW, is the assistant director of adult services at the Mid-Island Y JCC. She has been responsible for the growth and success of the two NORCs in the Plainview-Old Bethpage area.

The fee for conference registration is $75; $40 for senior citizens. Architects are eligible to earn three continuing education credits by attending this conference. To register for the conference or for more information, call (516) 463-5750.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution offering more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, professors teach small classes averaging 23 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.
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