The American Physical Therapy Association has announced the closing keynote speaker for its Exercise and Physical Activity in Aging Conference, which will be held at UIndy July 29-31. Dr. James Canton, chairman & CEO of the Institute for Global Futures, a leading think tank on health and medicine trends, will speak on the future of health and wellness.
Canton, a futurist, author and visionary advisor, has worked with more than 100 organizations, including NASA, 
the National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His talk, “The Future of Wellness, Aging and Health,” will explore what the future may hold for wellness, prevention, health enhancement and personalized medicine.
As our population grows older, scientists are just beginning to understand the importance of staying active in order to maintain physical and mental health late in life. The APTA’s Section on Geriatrics decided to tackle the issue head on this year with this major conference featuring top minds and the latest research.
The conference will draw 400 physical therapy practitioners and educators from across North America to the UIndy campus. Under the theme “Blending Research and Practice,” participants will discuss ways to translate new scientific findings into better client treatment.
Ellen Miller, executive director of UIndy’s Center for Aging & Community and associate professor of physical therapy, is chairing the conference Steering Committee, a group of 14 experts from around the country who represent education, research and clinical practice.
The conference is unique in the caliber of its presenters and the range of topics to be addressed, note Miller and UIndy Assistant Professor Bill Staples, who is serving as Local Arrangements chair. Discussions will include ways that clinicians and communities can encourage exercise among older adults; the importance of physical activity in reducing falls, preserving functionality and mental capacity; and the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis and other diseases.
The conference is the first of its kind, and will feature world-renowned speakers, in addition to Canton, says Staples. “It’s really looking at what we should be doing as physical therapists and where the future of the profession is going.”
