Less than half of U.S. communities – 46 percent – have even begun to plan for the needs of aging baby boomers, according to a new study by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. “This report is a wake-up call,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO of the nonprofit group.
“The Maturing of America,” released last week, says many cities and towns have programs for older adults, but few have determined what changes they need to become “elder friendly.”
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The generation born in 1946 to 1964 begins to turn 60 this year, the nonprofit noted, and by 2030 the number of people over 65 will soar to 71.5 million – twice as many as in the year 2000 – or one in every five Americans.
“To respond to the rapid rise in their aging population,” Markwood said, “communities will need to provide larger street signage, accessible housing, age-appropriate fitness programs, as well as lifelong learning and job retraining.” These services, she noted, “would improve the quality of life for citizens of all ages.”
The survey sent questionnaires to thousands of local governments. Key findings include:
n 80 percent of U.S. communities surveyed have programs that provide home-delivered meals to seniors, but only 25 percent provide nutrition education.
n About two-thirds offer preventive programs such as health education, community health screenings and prescription drug counseling.
n Less than two-thirds offer tax relief for older adults on fixed incomes.
n Less than 60 percent offer formal training programs to help older adults remain in the work force, and only 45 percent say local colleges offer a senior discount.
n Only 56 percent offer door-to-door transportation, such as Rhode Island’s RIde, and only 40 percent have road signs suitable for older drivers.
n Only half have home modification programs to help keep seniors in their homes.
n Less than a third offer fitness programs for older adults, though 86 percent have biking or walking trails.
n Only 30 percent have programs to prevent elder abuse and neglect.
But readiness was consistently higher in New England and the Pacific Coast, the group found. And Mansfield, Mass., made its list of “10 U.S. Communities with Great Ideas” for maintaining emergency medical files on every senior, as well as an Alzheimer’s tracking system.
The survey, funded by the MetLife Foundation, was conducted in partnership with the International City/County Management Association, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities and Partners for Livable Communities. Full results are available at www.n4a.org.
