Adirondacks Expert on Rural Aging on Stage at Statewide Conference

ALBANY, NY (10/29/2008)(readMedia)-- Donna Beal, executive director of Mercy Care for the Adirondacks, will take the stage at a statewide conference on aging Nov. 12-13.

Beal is an expert on rural aging, and she'll lead a session attended by professionals from across the state titled "Relieving Isolation and Loneliness of Rural Elders: Helping Rural Elders Stay Connected to Their Communities." Beal will explore public health policies that encourage adequate care for elders in their homes, enabling them to stay in their homes as long as possible.

I'd like to invite you to write an advance story on Beal and her organization as a player in this enormous conference and include conference details in a box or pullout for those who'd be interested in coming. You're also extremely welcome to come cover the conference itself. Full details are at http://www.empoweringnycommunities.org.

The conference info:

Empowering Communities for Successful Aging, Nov. 12-13, Saratoga Springs Hilton and Conference Center, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Jointly sponsored by AARP, New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and the New York State Office for the Aging. Produced by the Albany Guardian Society.

You can reach Beal at 518-523-5581.

Other interview sources can speak to why Beal was chosen to lead this conference session and what it means to communities statewide:

Ken Harris, director of the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging's Center for Senior Living and Community Services, (518) 449-2707, ext. 139

Michael Burgess, director of the New York State Office for the Aging (518) 474-4425

Luci de Haan, AARP, (212) 407-3718

-30-