Americans are living longer than ever before: By 2035, the number of people over age 85 will more than double. In the face of this coming “age wave” how can we build a culture that values our elders and make caring for them a priority?
In her new book, The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America, National Domestic Workers Alliance director and Caring Across Generations co-director Ai-jen Poo points to bold solutions that can help us better care for our growing elderly population—and provide millions of good jobs at the same time.
On January 22, we’ll celebrate this remarkable book with a series of candid conversations on the state of care in America today, bringing together leaders in public policy, academia, community organizing, business, and technology with some of the nation’s best storytellers.
Watch Ai-jen Poo's opening remarks. Scroll down for more videos from the event.
1:00 p.m.
Welcome Remarks
Laine Romero-Alston, Program Officer, Ford Foundation
Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation
Ai-jen Poo, Author, The Age of Dignity
Diane Wachtell, Executive Director, The New Press
Sarita Gupta, Co-director, Caring Across Generations; Executive Director, Jobs With Justice
1:30 p.m.
Story as Solution
Deirdre Fishel, Director, Care
Alexandra McDougald, Producer, Alive Inside
Moderator Cara Mertes, Director, JustFilms, Ford Foundation
2:30 p.m.
Story Slam
Powerful Frontline Stories of the Care Force
Beverly Engelman, Retired Public School Teacher
Marlene Champion, Nanny and Caregiver
Melissa Davis, Photographer and Caregiver
Moderator Jee Kim, Program Officer, Ford Foundation
3:00 p.m.
Break
3:30 p.m.
Innovation as Solution
Jody Gastfriend, Vice President, Senior Care Services, Care.com
Julie Kay, Senior Strategist, Advocacy and Policy, Ms. Foundation
Palak Shah, Social Innovations Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance
Rick Surpin, President, Independence Care System
Moderator Martín Abregú, Vice President, Ford Foundation
5:30 p.m.
Welcome Remarks and Book Reading
Helen Neuborne, Director, Ford Foundation
Ai-jen Poo, Author, The Age of Dignity
Women, Leadership, and the Future of Care
Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President
Sarita Gupta, Co-director, Caring Across Generations; Executive Director, Jobs With Justice
Tracy Sturdivant, Co-ounder, Make It Work
Barbara Young, Domestic Worker, National Organizer, National Domestic Workers Alliance
Moderator Sally Kohn, Columnist and Contributor, CNN
