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Silver Lining: Seniors invited to Healthy Aging Forum
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Posted by creid Sat Apr 8, 2006 08:30:41 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Seniors in Kern County owe a huge thanks to Dr. Charles “Chuck” Carlson. He is the impetus behind the third annual Healthy Aging Forum to be presented on April 21 at the Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield.
Carlson is an advocate for seniors and has some experience at it himself. He retired from Bakersfield College where he served as Dean of Instruction. He earned his doctorate from USC. 
Carlson’s wife, Marsha Carlson, recently retired from her position as executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association. Together, they volunteer their time and energy to address the needs of seniors in Kern County by operating the Kern Senior Collaborative.  The mission of the Collaborative is to keep seniors active and involved in their communities and to coordinate services for seniors throughout Kern County.
The Kern Senior Collaborative operated for three years on grant money from the California Wellness Foundation. Those funds have expired and new grants are being sought. 
The population of 65-plus in Kern County is 70,000. According to statistics that Carlson has obtained through various methods of research and surveys, 40 percent of those seniors admit to doing nothing all day. Carlson is out to change that.
Studies show that people remain more mentally and physically alert when they are active and spend time doing projects that benefit others. Through the Senior Resource Centers (SRC) of Kern County, the Kern Senior Collaborative was able to reach hundreds of people through churches, senior centers and senior residence communities. The project is currently operated solely by volunteers.  More volunteers are needed. Please call 835-7625, if you are interested. 
Currently, under the guidance of Chuck and Marsha Carlson, the Collaborative is planning the third annual Healthy Aging Forum.
This forum was previously called the “Senior Healthcare Forum” and was held at the Doubletree in 2003 at First Presbyterian Church in the fall of 2004 and is being presented at the Doubletree Hotel again this year.
So far, the Carlsons and several volunteers have 16 workshops on the schedule, including sessions on Heart Disease, Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Senior Nutrition, Senior Living Alternatives, Senior Fraud and Abuse and others of vital interest to seniors and their families and caregivers. Major sponsors for the forum on April 21 are Mercy and Memorial Hospitals. Other sponsors are Rosewood Retirement Community, GEMCare, Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage, Kern Gastroenterology and Kern Radiology Medical Group. 
The event will begin at 7:30 a.m., April 21 at the Doubletree and end at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $10 for one, or $15 for two persons coming together. Included is a continental breakfast and a full lunch.  Special luncheon speaker is Dr. Dean Davis of the Florence Wheeler Cancer Center.   
Dr. and Mrs. Carlson are Kern County’s senior advocates.  Without them and the effort they have put into bringing attention to the needs and wants of the senior population, many would be ignored and neglected. The Carlsons are determined that this won’t happen. Their knowledge of and interest in seniors runs deep. 
Seniors and those interested in their well-being and care are all invited to attend the April 21 forum.
Call the Kern Senior Collaborative at 835-7625, if you have questions.
Attendance is limited to 300, so an early call will assure a place for you or your loved one.
Hats off to Dr. Carlson for successfully orchestrating this third annual Healthy Aging Forum!
E-mail Caroline at: creid@bak.rr.com

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