Have a Big Idea to Disrupt Aging? Enter the 2017 Celebrate Innovation! Week8 Concept Challenge

Innovation Concept Challenge Looking for Ideas to Disrupt Aging 

AARP Iowa, Des Moines Area Community College ( DMACC), Edgewater, a WesleyLife senior living community and A ging Resources of Central Iowa have announced a 2017 Innovation Concept Challenge in connection with Celebrate Innovation! Week 8 (CiWeek8).

The Disrupt Aging Innovation Concept Challenge hopes to inspire contestants to think of ways to improve the quality of life for those aged 50 and over. Disrupt Aging is an initiative aimed at challenging perceptions of what it means to age and confront ageism.

CiWeek 8, which runs from Feb. 27 – March 3 at the DMACC West Des Moines Campus, is a free and open to the public series of presentations by nationally speakers on timely topics, issues and ideas. CiWeek 8 presenters include a 17-time Oscar nominee, a best-selling author, two Apollo astronauts, a World Beatbox Champion, an Olympian, AARP's market innovation director and more. A complete list of speakers is at www.dmacc.edu/ciweek

“CiWeek is in its 8th year now and has gotten larger every year since its inception in 2010,” said Dr. Anthony Paustian, Provost of the DMACC West Des Moines Campus. “Our theme this year is “To the Nth Degree,” celebrating the human spirit to not simply settle for the status quo. In the same vein, DMACC has worked to push the bar up a bit by partnering with the community to engage the community to think differently about aging.”

The Innovation Concept Challenge is designed to encourage contestants to submit an idea for a product, service or tool that will positively impact the lives of those age 50, and offers contestants the chance to win $1,000, attend a DMACC course for free, and have a one-on-one mentor experience with professionals from SCORE, a nonprofit organization that helps start-up business owners achieve their goals. The promotional challenge coincides with the "How to Disrupt Aging" presentation scheduled for 8:45-9:45 am Thursday, March 2 by AARP Market Innovation Director Jeffrey Makowka.

“AARP is looking for real possibilities to make life better as we age. This challenge is designed to encourage community members to think differently. We are excited to see who will rise to the challenge and what innovative concepts they will suggest to increase social engagement for all generations,” said Iowa AARP State Director Kent Sovern.

The Challenge is open to all age 14 and over as individuals or teams, including inter-generational teams such as a grandparent and grandchild or aunt or uncle and niece or nephew.  The deadline for submissions is at midnight, Friday, Feb. 24th. To submit an idea, visit www.dmacc.edu/ciweek and click the “Enter Contest” tab. There contests will answer seven questions about their concept.

A maximum of six finalists will be announced at the conclusion of Makowka's keynote address on Thursday, March 2nd. Those finalists will then be paired with mentors from SCORE to prepare a 10-minute “Shark Tank-style” pitch. Finalists will present their ideas to judges and audience from 3-4 pm on March 16th at Edgewater, 9225 Cascade Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266.

Prizes for the Disrupt Aging Innovation Concept Challenge are:
• First Prize, $1,000 plus a scholarship for any DMACC course
• Second Prize, $500
• Third Prize, $250

First and second prizes are donated by Edgewater. Third prize is donated by Aging Resources of Central Iowa.  The Concept Challenge application deadline is Feb. 24th.

“At Edgewater, one of our goals as a WesleyLife community is to transform aging, specifically to dispel stereotypes around what it means to be an older adult, so this sponsorship was perfect for us and we’re thrilled to be involved,” said Dawn Ethofer, Executive Director at Edgewater. “We’re pleased that society is beginning to realize that older adults want what younger people want – to live their lives the way they choose. It’s our job to offer options that allow individuals to maximize their potential and live life on their terms.”

Joel Olah, Executive Director of Aging Resources said, “We’re excited to see what kinds of ideas contestants develop that will challenge outdated beliefs and attitudes about aging and address Iowans’ desires to continue to grow, develop and contribute to society as they age in place in their homes and communities.”

About DMACC
Des Moines Area Community College, a public institution serving the educational and career training needs of Iowans, is committed to the lifelong success of its students. As Iowa’s largest two-year college, DMACC offers 222 programs, certificates and transfer degrees, annually serving more than 70,000 credit and noncredit students on six campuses and six learning centers. Thanks to college-wide innovation, new programs and affordable tuition, DMACC continues to experience solid growth. For more information, please visit www.dmacc.edu.
About Edgewater
Edgewater is a WesleyLife Community For Healthy Living that offers independent living, assisted living, memory support, in-home services and care, short-term skilled rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice. Services are innovative and personalized to help individuals remain active, independent and well wherever they call home. Edgewater has won numerous awards because of its caring team members, unsurpassed amenities and beautiful campus.
About Aging Resources
Aging Resources is a private, non-profit service agency that coordinates programs and services for over 125,000 elders in the heart of Iowa. Aging Resources partners with public and private service providers, community organizations, and volunteers to improve the quality of life for older and disabled Iowans. Its mission is to lead, advocate, and serve as well as plan and coordinate resources enabling elders to lead independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in the least restrictive environment.