"Aging in the US: How are we doing and what does the future hold?” by Bill Benson; Mar. 31

The psychology department with support from the Rising Tide Strategic Plan Fund welcomes Bill Benson to St. Mary's College of Maryland to address the community. 

We’ve known that there would be a demographic revolution with the aging of the population here in the U.S. and abroad for decades but little was done to prepare. This lecture will identify the key challenges related to aging in our society (e.g., economics, health and long-term care, equity, housing, social engagement, ageism) and inquire about how we are going to face those challenges. Mr. Benson will share his ideas about what we can do as a society and as individuals to meet these challenges.

Bill Benson has spent 5 decades advocating for older adults, holding senior leadership positions in CA state government, the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Administration on Aging (now ACL). Benson played a major role in amendments to the Older Americans Act, nursing home reform legislation, establishment of the SHIP Program, the Elder Justice Act, and other notable legislative initiatives. He serves as National Policy Advisor for the National Adult Protective Services Association and American Association of Service Coordinators, among others. He is co-founder, with Dave Baldridge (Cherokee), and President of the International Association for Indigenous Aging (IA2), a national organization representing the interests of American Indian and Alaska Native elders, with particular focus on elder justice and Alzheimer’s disease and brain health.

This event may be used to satisfy the Lecture Reflection Requirement in PSYC206 and PSYC493/494.