Georgetown, DE (Oct. 2, 2015): Sussex County is at a crossroads, of sorts, when it comes to meeting the needs of its growing senior citizen population: at nearly 1,000 square miles in size, with more than 4,800 lane miles of roadways, there’s literally a lot of ground to cover in Sussex County – for any motorist.
But for seniors, many of whom are without cars and live in rural, tucked-away places, getting to and from the store, the doctor’s office, the library, the activity center, or anywhere else they need to go is a challenge, one that can prevent them from accessing the services they want and need to living healthy, fulfilling and, most importantly, independent, lives.
To help seniors, their families, and support personnel learn more about transportation resources and stress the important of the issue here in Southern Delaware, the Sussex County Advisory Committee on Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities will host its Third annual LIVE Conference, titled Transportation: Moving Forward, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the CHEER Community Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, in Georgetown. The Sussex County Council and Delaware Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities are co-sponsoring the event.
“The mission of the LIVE Conferences since its inception has been to educate the senior population, as well as their families and caregivers, to empower them with knowledge so they can make choices that allow them to live safe, secure and happy lives,” said Sally Beaumont, member of the advisory committee. “We have tackled healthcare and elder abuse in the past two years, so this year we thought the next big topic to showcase is transportation, or the lack thereof, in Sussex County. This has a tremendous effect on the senior population and their ability to access services and activities that are part of a fulfilling life.”
The conference will feature a variety of panel discussions focused on rural transportation developments for seniors and rural specialized transportation in Sussex County. Jill Rogers, director of the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, will make introductory remarks; the keynote address will be made by Scott Bogren of the Community Transportation Association of America.
Tickets for the general public are $5 and registration is required in advance as seating is limited. A continental breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided. For more information, please contact Sally Beaumont, member of the committee, at (302) 381-5491 or sbeaumont@cavtel.net.
The Sussex County Advisory Committee on Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities is an 11-member panel established by the Sussex County Council to be an advocate for programs and policies that benefit older and disabled residents. The Advisory Committee’s mission is to increase dialogue, make recommendations to Council, and give support, assistance and advice on significant issues and programs that may affect the lives of the county’s aging and adults with physical disabilities populations. For more information, visit the Advisory Committee’s page at sussexcountyde.gov/boards-committees.
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