BCCC to Hold 50-Plus Conference

Entering retirement age brings a new set of considerations, including staying healthy, downsizing, Medicare, returning to the work force, and, of course, savings and financial issues.

To help older adults navigate these issues,e is hosting a one-day conference on Saturday, April 16.

The educational conference, Transitions: Positive Living for Boomers, will help adults ages 50 and older get informed, share, learn from and connect with the local community in Bucks County, according to Carol Mikulski, executive director of the college’s Continuing Education division.

“Transitions seeks to help adults engage their minds and increase understanding of issues they may face in this next chapter of their lives,” said Mikulski. “It will provide opportunities to experience a shared community, an awareness of resources, and the possibility to discover new insights and skills.”

The conference will feature more than 30 informative workshops, each addressing a topic of interest and concern to Baby Boomers.  The day will also feature speakers and a resource fair.

Workshop topics include:

• Future living arrangements, like downsizing and long-term care issues
• Career guidance for those seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce
• Financial and legal considerations, like saving for retirement and estate planning,
• Health and wellness issues, like understanding Medicare, staying fit, aging and sexuality, and dealing with hearing loss

The keynote address will be given by Dick Goldberg, director of Coming of Age, Greater Philadelphia’s initiative to promote civic engagement among those over age 50. Coming of Age is a partnership between Temple University, PBS station WHYY, AARP Pennsylvania, and United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

A variety of organizations and businesses will provide information about services and resources available to our community during the day’s resource fair.

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the college's Newtown campus, 275 Swamp Rd.

Tickets, which include a continental breakfast and snacks, are $20 and $15 for a second family member. After April 8, all tickets are $25.

To learn more, http://www.bucks.edu/transitions, e-mail transitions@bucks.edu or call 215-968-8409.

In advance of Transitions, Newtown Patch will be publishing a series of informative articles by local experts on issues that will be covered at the conference. Check back to Patch Sunday, April 3, for the first of these, which will offer tips on downsizing.