Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/268408
On Tuesday, March 11, in Selby Auditorium at the University of South Florida Sarasota- Manatee (USFSM), the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and experts in homebuilding and home healthcare; architects; design- ers; and representatives of state and local governmental agencies; faith-based and civic organizations and care providers from across Florida's aging network will convene for Preparing Environments that Meet the Needs of Elders, a free public program, the college has announced. The auditorium is located at 8350 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida ranks first in the nation in the percentage of elderly residents, a news release says. About 4.7 million of its resi- dents are 60 and older, about one-quarter of the state's population. With life expectancy expected to rise to 90 by 2030, the number of people 65 and older will double in the next 30 years on a national level, the release adds. "How can communities make it possible for elders to safely and independently live in their own homes as they age and have access to the services, programs and support they need?" the release asks. That will be the focus of the March 11 program. Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., and the day's presentations and panel discussions will end at 3:15 p.m. Attendance and parking are complimentary. Registration and lunch purchase may be made online at communi- tiesforalifetime.org/regis_rhf_031114.html. USFSM professor Kathy Black will address What Do We Know about Aging in Place in Our Community?, the release notes. Other discussions and work groups will focus on issues such as "universal design," or build- ing and retrofitting homes in ways that are suitable, affordable and effective for aging in place, the release continues. HOUSING NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY TO BE FOCUS OF PROGRAM Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent is reminding voters who request absentee ballots for the March 25 elections that they may track their ballots online from the time they request the ballots until the voted ballots have safely reached her office. The online tracking system also allows voters to check registration status, party affiliation and local polling place information and to request an absentee ballot, a news release points out. Voters may go to the Supervisor of Elections (SOE) website at SarasotaVotes. com and select the "Vote by Mail" icon at VOTERS REMINDED ABOUT ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING SYSTEM the top of the home page. Then they should choose "Track your Absentee Ballot" from the menu and enter the requested information to track absentee ballots and access other infor- mation, the release notes. The elections scheduled for March 25 are the Special County School District Election, Holiday Park Park & Recreation District Election, Town of Longboat Key General Election and City of Venice Referendum. Requests from voters for absentee ballots for the March 25 elections, to be mailed to the voters, must be received by the Supervisor of Sarasota News Leader February 28, 2014 Page 75