cliff 2011 03 march 10 cty ldrshp conf stevens pt wi
TRANSCRIPT
Creating Aging-Friendly Communities in Wisconsin
Clif Barber, Chris Kniep, Peggy NordgrenAging in Our Communities Team
UW Cooperative Extension Family Living Programs
COUNTY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE – MARCH 10, 2011
Why an Educational Seminar on Community/County Preparedness for
Population Aging?
Maturing of America Survey (2005)
FINDING: Only 46% of 10,000 U.S. communities surveyed had begun to prepare for the impacts of an aging population.
Overview1. Population Aging 2. Community/County-level Impacts of
Population Aging 3. Attributes of Aging-Friendly Communities4. Examples of County/Community Efforts to
Creating More Aging-Friendly Environments
5. Resources for Communities/Counties
How prepared is your county for the coming “age wave” ?
AgingWhether we like it or not (or whether we admit it or not), all of us – as individuals - experience aging.
What are some common ways to measure human aging?
Aging in human beings can be measured in a number of ways: chronological, biological, psychological, social, functional, etc.
How is Population Aging Measured?
-Number of persons age 65+
-Percent of persons age 65+
-Median age
Illustrating Population AgingThere are several ways to graphically illustrate the aging of a population. One of the most common is the population pyramid.
Number (millions)
Changing Shape of Population Pyramids
The “shape” of a population pyramid is determined by a combination of several factors. One is birth rate. What are some other factors?
Population Aging
Global National State County
Population Aging: A Global Perspective
Within the next 10 years, for the first time in human history….
…the percentage (and number) of persons age 65+ in the world will be greater than those age 5 and younger!
Median Age in 12 Countries
• By the year 2030, the median age of the entire developed world is projected to be 45.
• In Japan and much of southern and eastern Europe, it will be over 50.
From 1900 through 2003, life expectancy at birth increased from 48 to 75 years for men (a gain of 27 years) and from 51 to 80 years for women (a gain of 30 years).
Increase in Life Expectancy: 1900-2003
Increase in Number of Americans Age 65+
?January 2011: Beginning of the “Age Wave”
Percentage of Americans Age 65 and Older: 1900-2050
Aging of the Baby Boomers…• When the baby boomers (aka “aging” boomers) start turning 65 in January 2011, approximately 10,000
people will turn 65 every day— and this trend will continue for 20 years!
• By 2030, one out of every five Americans—some 72 million people—will be 65 years or older.
• By 2050, the 65+ population is projected to be between 80 and 90 million, with those 85 and older close to 21 million.
Percentage of Americans Age 65 Expected to Survive to Age 90
Growth of U.S. Centenarians
100+!
Population Aging: Wisconsin
Percent of Population Age 65+State Rankings (2000 Census)
Ranked 1st 17.6% Ranked 20th 13.1%
Wisconsin Projections
800,000 to almost 1.5 million
Population Pyramids for Wisconsin 1900 and 2035
Population Aging in Wisconsin:A County Perspective
• In the 2000 Census, almost 18% of Florida’s population was age 65+. By 2035, which Wisconsin counties will have this same percentage or higher?
• In terms of median age, which Wisconsin counties are the oldest?
See Packet Handout: County Population Projections Through 2035
Population Aging in WisconsinPercentage of Persons Age 65+ by County: 2010-2035
Wisconsin’s Age Wave
See Packet Handout
By the year 2035, will the percentof persons age 65+ in your countybe greater than was the case forFlorida in the 2000 Census (~18%)?
0%
0%
0%1. Yes2. No3. Don’t know
Median Age by County (2007)
Oldest Counties:Iron County-- 47.6 yearsVilas County– 46.9 yearsDoor County– 46.1 yearsFlorence County– 45.7 yearsPrice County– 45.6 years
Youngest Counties:Menominee County– 28.0 yearsDunn County– 31.9 yearsEau Claire County– 33.8 yearsPierce County– 34.1 yearsPortage County– 34.7 years
What Impacts Will Population Aging Have on Wisconsin Communities?
See Packet Handout: Small Group Activity – Identifying Impacts
What Impacts Will Population Aging Have on Wisconsin Communities?
Families Housing Transportation Other?
How Will the Aging Population Impact Wisconsin Families?
How Will the Aging Population Impact Housing?
How Will the Aging Population Impact Transportation?
• What are the key attributes or characteristics of aging-friendly communities; that is, when can you tell whether a community offers a supportive environment for persons of all ages, including those who are elderly?
• How can a community measure the extent to which it is aging-friendly?
Creating Aging-Friendly Communities
See Packet Handout - Small Group Activity:Qualities of Aging-Friendly Communities
Qualities or Attributes of an Aging-Friendly Community
• Inclusive• Sustainable• Healthy• Accessible• Interdependent• Engaged
Source: Thomas, W. H., & Blanchard, J. M. (2009). Moving beyond Place: Aging in community. Generations, 33(2), 12-17.
Steps To Becoming More Aging-Friendly
1. Assemble a team of public and private leaders/stake holders.
2. Assess the community’s aging-readiness.
3. Take focused-action.4. Promote Success5. Set-a long-term course6. Obtain resources
Blueprint for Action Booklet
Partners for Livable Communities
Community “Report Card” – How “ageless” is your community
http://livable.org/storage/documents/Services/Technical_Assistance/Aging_in_place_technical_assistance2010.pdf
World Health Organization Guidehttp://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Age_friendly_cities_checklist.pdf
Checklist of essential features of age-friendly cities
Community Aging-Readiness Questionnaire
Examples of Community/CountyEfforts to Become More “Aging-Friendly”
Resources
UW Extension Blog: http://fyi.uwex.edu/agingfriendlycommunities/
See Packet Handout
2008 Book by Gerald Hodge
• Focus is on Canada, but much of the material is very useful
• See Part 4: Preparing for the “Seniors’ Surge”
• Also a good list of internet resources
2009 Report by AARP
An excellent resource on planning and design of streets (and sidewalks) that accommodate the needs of older drivers.
2009 Book
• See Chapter 10 – “Collaboration as the Key to the Successful Future of Aging” – by Bob Scarfo (Washington State University-Spokane)
Unless America makes a commitment to livable, “aging-friendly” communities, baby boomers and other persons of a range of ages and with a variety of abilities will find it difficult to age successfully and remain engaged with their communities...
On the other hand, those communities that design for livability empower their residents to remain independent and engaged, and offer a better quality of life.
A Call for Action:
??Questions We All Need to Ask ??
• Is your community a good place to grow up and grow old?
• Will your community meet your needs when you are 65, 75, 85, 95…or even 105?
• If not, what can you do now to begin to make your community a friendly and supportive environment for persons of all ages?
Are you willing to take the risk?