U.S. Communities Unprepared for Emerging Elderly Population

WASHINGTON–As baby boomers near retirement age, most American
communities are unprepared to meet the needs of the impending
increase in the elderly population, a recent study found.

Just 46 percent of the country’s communities have started
planning for the coming surge, according to “The Maturing of
America–Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population,” led
by The National Association for Area Agencies on Aging and funded
by the Metlife Foundation. By 2030, the study says, 71.5 million
people, or one in every five Americans, will be over age 65 in the
United States–twice the number in 2000.

Among the study’s findings: Although a huge majority of seniors
would rather stay at home as they age, only half of America’s
communities have home modification programs allowing seniors to
alter their homes to compensate for physical limitations. And just
a third give older adults access to preventive health care services
like health education, screenings and counseling on prescription
drug programs.

Other problems include inadequate street signage, emergency
services and fitness and job training programs.

The full report is available at www.n4a.org.