Oregon State University Expert to Testify at Senate Hearing on Aging

Sally Bowman, an associate professor at Oregon State University, will testify on April 16 in Washington, D.C., during a hearing on caregivers for the elderly that will include testimony by media and merchandising mogul Martha Stewart.

The hearing, called by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, will address an impending shortage of health professionals trained to care for older Americans. Those testifying will provide policymakers with ideas for improving and expanding the training of licensed professionals, direct care workers like personal care attendants, and family members who care for relatives.

Bowman, a family development specialist for the OSU Extension Service, will discuss how placing elders in facilities other than nursing homes can make taxpayers’ dollars go further. She’ll also provide examples of ways to train caregivers.

Bowman has been an associate director of the Oregon Geriatric Education Center since 1996 and has organized OSU’s annual gerontology conference for the past 13 years.

The office of Sen. Gordon Smith invited Bowman to speak before the committee, of which Smith is the ranking member.

The hearing entitled, “Caring for Our Seniors: How can we Support Those on the Frontlines?” will take place at 3 p.m. Eastern time. To view a live webcast go to http://aging.senate.gov/.

Bowman can be reached at bowmans@oregonstate.edu. While out of town, she will check messages left at her office number: 541-737-1020. She can also be reached by contacting:

Tiffany Woods
Extension and Experiment Station Communications Oregon State University 541-737-2940 tiffany.woods@oregonstate.edu