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NYC Aging’s BOOM! A Silver Dawning in American Cities Conference Sparks National Conversation on Age-Inclusivity
Groundbreaking event gathered top experts from across the country to chart the course for the future of aging in America
New York, NY— National leaders and experts in the field of aging gathered in Harlem on December 5–6, 2024, for BOOM! A Silver Dawning in American Cities, New York City’s first national conference dedicated to tackling the urgent issues impacting America’s growing older adult population. Hosted by NYC Department for the Aging, alongside Mayor Eric Adams, the event assembled renowned speakers, practitioners, thought leaders, and advocates for groundbreaking sessions on combating ageism, the caregiving crisis, community versus institutional care, and the evolving needs of adults over 60.
The conference featured powerhouse participants such as anti-ageism activist Ashton Applewhite, New York Times Style section reporter Guy Trebay, ROAR forward Founder & CEO Michael Clinton, and veteran political strategist, advocate, author, and philanthropist Luis Miranda. Highlights included Bradley Cooper’s caregiving documentary clips, a 360° discussion on community care infrastructure, and a unique “Meet the Funders” luncheon offering insights into funding process for public-private partnerships at both the local and national level.
"New York City is proud to be at the forefront of the timely national conversation on aging in America,” said Mayor Adams. “Just as we innovated with our Cabinet for Older New Yorkers — a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind initiative uniting multiple government agencies to fundamentally reimagine support and empowerment for older adults — and with groundbreaking efforts like the ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ plan, which expands accessory dwelling units to give older New Yorkers the freedom to live near loved ones, we're demonstrating that cities can be transformative engines of opportunity at every stage of life. This conference serves as a blueprint for reshaping our entire approach to aging — breaking down barriers and celebrating the incredible potential of our older population."
“Building on the work of the interagency Cabinet For Older New Yorkers, BOOM! shows us what's possible when we bring together experts from different parts of the aging sector around a shared mission of supporting older Americans and rethinking how our country approaches aging," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. "With more than 1 in 5 New Yorkers being older adults and 12,000 Americans turning 65 each day, NYC Aging is leading a national effort to make NYC and the country more inclusive for all generations.”
"BOOM! is a defining moment for aging in America," said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. "In 2024, the last of the Baby Boomers are turning 60 and they are redefining aging. We brought together many of the country's thought leaders in the aging sector to address some of the biggest challenges facing older adults and to champion bold solutions. The partnerships formed and strategies developed at BOOM! set a pathway for how Americans will age in our cities for generations to come."
"Every day more than 12,000 Americans are turning 65 and by 2030 there will be more of us over 65 than under 18. These major trends create unique challenges for government policy and business. At ROAR Forward, the focus of our work is helping businesses understand how the New Longevity movement affects their products, services, customers, and employees. We're proud to share the mission of the conference in reframing the narrative around aging and what’s possible in the second half of life," said ROAR forward Founder & CEO Michael Clinton.
"As New York City's population of older adults grows, we must set the standard for bold investments in our older adults and ensure that our city is a great place to age. LiveOn NY will continue to work alongside the city and our partner organizations to build a New York where older adults have access to community care infrastructure so they can age with dignity," said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY.
"Mount Sinai health system is thrilled to support Boom! A Silver Dawning in American Cities. We are deeply committed to ending ageism and building communities that reflect a model age-inclusive city, said Dr. Joyce F. Fogel, Clinical Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai “We are proud of our partnership with NYC Aging and look forward to continuing our work together to enhance healthy living & well-being for all older adults."
For more information about the conference, speaker insights, and next steps in NYC Aging’s mission to reframe aging, please contact media@aging.nyc.gov. Conference photos and footage are available here.
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About NYC Aging:
The NYC Department for the Aging’s (NYC Aging) mission is to eliminate ageism and empower older adults to live independently in their communities. Through a network of over 300 older adult centers and naturally occurring retirement communities, NYC Aging provides vital programs and resources to nearly 1.8 million older New Yorkers, fostering their physical and mental well-being.