"It is we, collectively, who can make the agreement as to how we will live together. That only happens when we talk about it."
Juanita Brown

On June 28, 2005 MAAA hosted the Twin Cities Metropolitan Region White House Conference on Aging at the University of Minnesota's College of Continuing Education Conference Center.

Over 185 providers, older Minnesotans and caregivers in the metro area participated in the opportunity to shape recommendations that will be delivered to the national White House Conference on Aging.

Read the final report of the National White House Conference on Aging

Read the local final report submitted September 30, 2005

Event Information:

Registered Participant Roster (.pdf)

Keynote Address Highlights (.pdf)

Summary of the Policy Issues, Barriers and Opportunities (.pdf)

Star Tribune Article (.pdf)

Policy sessions included:

1. Creating Innovative Multigenerational Communities with content expert Dr. Janet Hively. Read the Issue Brief (.pdf).

2. Establishing Priorities in Preventive, Chronic and Acute Care (Long-Term Care), with content expert Alex Bartolic. Read the Issue Brief (.pdf).

3. Advocating for Healthy Aging, with content expert Dr. Christine Mueller. Read the Issue Brief (.pdf).

4. Building & Supporting a Changing Workforce, with content expert Dr. Renee Fredericksen. Read the Issue Brief (.pdf).

5. Ensuring Financial Security, with content expert Larhae Knatterud. Read the Issue Brief (.pdf).

White House Conference on Aging History
The national White House Conference on Aging occurs once a decade to make aging policy recommendations to the President and Congress, and to assist the public and private sectors in promoting dignity, health, independence and economic security of current and future generations of older persons.

The 2005 White House Conference on Aging occurs as the first wave of the baby boom generation prepares for retirement, creating an important opportunity to creatively assess aging in America and improve the lives of older Americans.

Although the 1961 White House Conference on Aging was the first to be designated "White House," several national conferences held in the 1950s laid the foundation for this important event. In 1950, President Harry Truman directed the Federal Security Administration to hold a national conference on aging. American demographics were shifting in the mid-20th century, and the number of elderly was increasing rapidly. The purpose of the 1950 conference was to assess the challenges posed by the changing population. The 816 delegates to this conference took no action as a body, but the event served as an initial exploratory forum for addressing the issues related to persons.

Learn more about the national White House Conference on Aging at www.whcoa.gov (Off Site).

This “independent aging agenda event” is designed to provide input to the Policy Committee of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. This event is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the White House, nor does it in any way represent the policies, positions, or opinions of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging or the federal government.

Updated 04/05/2007