Technology issues will be the focus of the 51st annual Kirkpatrick Memorial Conference on Aging March 31 at the Ball State University Alumni Center.

Speakers and workshop leaders will provide insight into aging in an ever-changing society with specific focus on health, wealth and technology. The conference is sponsored by Ball State's Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology.

The keynote speaker is Neal Cutler, who holds the Boettner/Gregg Chair in Financial Gerontology at Widener University in Chester, Pa. He was the convener of Widener's recent symposium "Managing Transitions in an Aging Society: Health Wealth, and Work."

Cutler is also vice president and dean of educational programs of the American Institute of Financial Gerontology, a professional educational partnership with the American Society on Aging and Widener University.

Topics will include how living longer affects an individual's health and economic resources and identifying technologies that will maximize the aging experience. Questions to be discussed include: 

• What will the work force look like if people are working longer or returning to the work force?
• If continued working is in the future, how will older workers manage family commitments such as care giving?
• What resources will be available to cover health care needs?
• How do people plan financially for an uncertain future?
• How does technology fit into the aging experience?

An endowment allows the Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology to waive conference fees for those 65 and over and for Ball State University faculty, staff and students. 

Registration is available online or by calling 1-888-WELLBSU (285-8259 in the Muncie area).