As our nation’s population ages, there is a growing need for an in-depth policy discussion that address the cultural shift that is unfolding with this aging population. On May 10, 2011, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST, the Volunteers of America will host their third annual panel discussion in Washington, D.C. on the future of care and services for older Americans.

Titled “Women and Aging 2011: Implications for an Aging Population,” this year’s discussion will include a panel that includes the following individuals:

1. Arianna Huffington, Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post
2. Debra Ness, President of the National Partnership for Women and Families
3. Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, Executive Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement for AARP
4. Mike King, National President and CEO of Volunteers of America
5. Dr. Bob Arnot, medical journalist and best-selling author

Panel discussion

The panel will explore options for developing policy around our nation’s large population of adult children who require assistance to care for their aging parents and will also, eventually, require financial assistance and care for themselves.

According to press materials from the Volunteers of America, “The workplace, health and public policy implications are enormous now that women over age 60 make up a rapidly growing percentage of the people retired or facing retirement. They also make up 80% of the caregivers for chronically ill or aging relatives; and they have a longer life expectancy than men. These facts, combined with economics and the health care crisis, provides for the making of an unprecedented health care, social and economic crisis in the US.”

You can attend the discussion by visiting the Volunteers of America website at on May 10. This stellar group of panelists is sure to put forth suggestions aimed toward helping our nation handle, in a dignified and humane way, the challenges we face as our aging population needs more care.

Volunteers of America

By visiting the site at any time, you can also explore their Aging With Options section where you can find additional information about aging issues. Topics include the following:

1. No Matter Who You Are, It’s Not Easy Talking About Aging
2. A Model for Aging in Place
3. The Future of Care for Older Americans
4. Aging with Options Videos
5. Find a Local Office
6. A box where you can enter a 5-digit zip or search all of their offices by state

Volunteers of America is an organization that’s been around for 115 years. Their website is not just about aging. They can also help you find services and assistance for mental health, veterans, long-term care, homelessness and more.