Senior Symposium offered Saturday

WASILLA — Not only is the Mat-Su Borough among the fastest-growing areas of the state and nation, it also has the fastest growth rate among the 65 and older demographic in Alaska and is one of the highest in the nation.

That’s something Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pastor Duane Hanson says he’s seen firsthand.

“We’ve seen it in our congregation,” he said.

According to the 2011 Mat-Su Regional Plan for Delivery of Senior Services, by 2030 the number of people age 65 and older is expected to increase more than 159 percent, while the age 75 to 84 cohort will increase more than 247 percent.

Hanson said population growth among those 60 and older and the challenges they face are the focus of a Senior Symposium session titled “The Issues of Aging: Opportunities and Challenges” at the church April 6 and April 13. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and seminars are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 Bogard Road, Wasilla.

• April 6 topics include “It’s Time to Start Talking,” “Easing the Difficult Conversation,” “Housing and Transportation” and “Senior Circle and Senior Services.”

• April 13 topics include “Let’s Continue the Conversation,” Changing Roles: Child Becomes Parent,” “Financial Adviser” and “Estate Planning.”

All of the speakers from housing reps, financial reps and AARP reps are volunteering their time at the event. The symposium is the first, but Hanson said he imagines it will continue.

Hanson said the idea is to plan for, instead of react to, the challenges that come with this chapter in life.

“We just have normal transitions in our lives,” he said. “If you know that’s the next step in life, lets plan ahead.”

Caring for aging parents includes things like navigating health care, power of attorney and advanced medical directives.

The symposium is about helping people plan ahead, Hanson said.

“Where would you start looking if your mother needed an assisted living home tomorrow?” he asked. “What are the choices?”

In his roles as pastor, he said he’s had the opportunity to visit many assisted living facilities locally. What each offers in terms of care and amenities is different.

“A nice meal with nice presentation? Is that expecting too much?” he asked. “Is the first thing you smell when you walk in a strong odor of disinfectant or the smell of homemade bread baking?”

He said at the core this is about preserving quality of life for seniors.

“It’s not a crisis to become old,” Hanson said. “It’s not an easy topic, but one that I think is important.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the symposium. The venue is handicap accessible and some hearing devices are available.

For more information, call Pat Ott at 373-0181.

Contact managing editor Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@frontiersman.com.