“Due to the lack of acceptable alternatives to automobiles as the most accessible means of transportation in many parts of the United States,” Dennis McCarthy writes, “prolonging safe driving by elders is one way of ensuring continued mobility.” McCarthy describes a program that identifies car-design elements that best compensate for aging-related changes in vision, hearing and cognitive functioning. He also discusses initiatives to teach driver safety to older adults and to help elders self-screen to identify potential problems and improve their driving habits. Read More >>

“Significant numbers of adults in advanced old age live in long term-care, where residents commonly have multiple chronic health conditions,” writes Joann Reinhardt. “At the same time, healthcare in this setting often continues to focus on curative goals -- with a lack of attention to the need to shift to palliative goals when appropriate.” Reinhardt gives us an overview of practices based on recent research findings which can improve end-of-life care in long-term care facilities, thus reducing pain and suffering for both residents and their families. Read More >>

In cooperation with ASA’s Civic Engagement Program, three participants in the current class of New Ventures in Leadership (NVL) will focus on civic engagement. NVL promotes the leadership potential of professionals of color and their involvement in the national aging arena; participants -- referred to as partners -- take part in a yearlong program designed to help them enhance their skills in key areas related to their careers. We asked the three partners to discuss how their NVL projects will support older adults of color in becoming more involved in their communities. Read More >>

Starting a job as executive director of an agency that provides social services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people was a dream come true, writes Bill Serpe, but “my knowledge of transgender issues was limited, to say the least …. I was spawned as an out gay male in 1965, when transgenderwasn’t even a word yet.” Serpe began organizing discussions on the topic with program participants and staff, but it wasn’t until he hired an older transgender woman that he fully stepped into his new role as an active and committed ally to transgender elders. Read More >>

Every year at the Aging in America Conference, ASA presents its Hall of Fame award to recognize an individual age 65 or older who has, through lifetime advocacy and leadership, enhanced the lives of elders. Receiving the award for 2009 is Carol Colleran, a pioneer in addiction treatment for older adults and coauthor of the definitive guidebook in the field. In this interview with ASA Connection, she offers thoughts on the development of her work, on directions for the field of aging and on the value of ASA. Read More >>