Ithaca College

Gene Cohen, founder and director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University, will be the keynote speaker at the Gerontology Institute Annual Conference Creativity and Aging: Exploring Community Initiatives. 

In his keynote address “Creativity Matters” Cohen, who holds an M.D. from Georgetown University and a doctorate in gerontology from the Union Institute, will refer to studies which challenge the notion that mental decline is an inevitable consequence of aging. These studies show that people over 65 who participated in art programs not only learned new skills, they also visited doctors less often, used fewer medications and experienced fewer falls and accidents.

Cohen’s address will be followed by a panel discussion highlighting the ways arts organizations and aging services can involve older adults in arts programs. The remainder of the day will include presentations and creativity workshops featuring nine leaders in the fields of aging and the arts.

The conference will take place on Thursday October 1st, 2009 in the Emerson Suites, Phillips Hall. More information can be found at  https://www.ithaca.edu/gps/geront_conference/

or email Marilyn Kinner at mkinner@ithaca.edu