The oldest segment of our nation’s population is growing faster than any other age group making them in the most need of care. With this change in demographics it is likely that an older person will need to spend time in some type of formal care causing the medical care industry to explode.

The average age of the American population will continue to increase through the year 2008 with the largest projected increases occurring in the 40-59 and 80 + age groups; This will cause employment in health to increase a projected 26% through 2008. Already there is a surge in jobs, nationally in the rehabilitation field, health and fitness, wellness, imaging technology, home care, nutrition, new diagnostic services, and prevention.

To provide educational opportunities to these health care providers a training was designed, coordinated, and conducted for people involved in Adult Day Care Centers, Nursing Homes, Personal Care Homes, and Home Health Care Agencies.

The day long training, Enhancing Skills for Eldercare, addressed the topics of Incorporating Humor into Your Work by Kathy Hillman - Professor of Health, East Stroudsburg University; Update on Available Age Related Extension Resources by Nancy Grotevant - Penn State Cooperative Extension in Pike County; Sleep Disorders & the Older Adult by Stephanie Betz - Director of the Sleep Disorder Center; and Individual Personal Care for Seniors with Low Vision by Thomas L. Carville, VP of Enrichment Audio Resource Services.