Baseball Great Johnny Bench to Speak at Conference

By Rick Nathanson Journal Staff Writer

Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench will be the keynote speaker at the 30th annual New Mexico Conference on Aging, sponsored and organized by the state Aging and Long-Term Services Department.

The conference, on Aug. 26-29, brings together “people who are elders, people who provide services to New Mexico elders, and people who are interested in specific issues relating to elders,” says John Arnold, the department’s public information officer.

The four-day event will be at the Sandia Resort and Casino, where last year more than 1,500 people attended. This year, the final day of the conference will be a job and volunteer fair, part of a state initiative called “Engage New Mexico.”

The initiative, based on the three-pronged approach of “employment, volunteerism and lifelong learning,” is designed to encourage older New Mexicans to give back to their communities, Arnold says.

More then 35 employers at the fair will seek to hire people age 50 and older for jobs in manufacturing, health care, government, personnel staffing, hospitality and casinos. Volunteer organizations will recruit people for libraries, Boys and Girls Clubs, homeless advocacy groups, animal welfare agencies and other groups.

The conference will offer more than 70 workshops, 30 roundtable discussions and four general session presentations. Topics include arthritis, care for people with Alzheimer’s, depression, elder hostel travel opportunities, fair housing and discrimination, healthy eating, identity theft, joint replacement technology, nonverbal communication with the dying, prescription drug assistance, reverse mortgages, Social Security benefits and eligibility and substance abuse among older adults.

The former Cincinnati Reds catcher will speak at the 8:30 a.m. session Aug. 27.

Bench, 60, who had a total hip replacement in 2004 after years of chronic pain, will discuss the implant surgery and its results. He will share his “vowels of success” of attitude, effort, individuality, opportunity and ability.

Bench’s post-baseball career also includes nine years as a sports announcer with CBS Radio.

He has used his celebrity status to aid the Heart Association, the American Cancer Society (as past national chairman of Athletes vs. Cancer), the Kidney Foundation, Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, the American Lung Association and the “Catch the Cure” program of the Children’s Hospital of Cincinnati.

He also supports the Cincinnati Symphony, the Museum of Science and Industry, and his scholarship fund, which provides funds for students to attend college in the Cincinnati area.

Other keynote speakers are:

E. Percil Stanford, who will discuss “A Diverse Community: Exploring Options, Expanding Horizons” at 10 a.m. Aug. 26;

Michael C. Patterson, on “Staying Sharp: How to Maintain Brain Health” at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 28; and

Nancy A. Henkin, on “Connection and Contribution: Keys to Successful Aging” at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 29. For and about seniors

The New Mexico Conference on Aging will be Aug. 26-29 at the Sandia Resort and Casino. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 26-28, and 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for the free job and volunteer fair Aug. 29.

Cost is $25 for people age 55 and older and students, and $85 for people age 54 and younger. Single-day attendance is $10 for people 55 and older and students, and $30 for people 54 and younger.

Go to www.nmaging. state.nm.us or call (866) 842-9230 for conference info and registration forms. On-site registration will be available.

(c) 2008 Albuquerque Journal. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.