WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Fewer than half of American communities are ready to provide health and lifestyle services for the aging population, according to a national study released Wednesday.
The study, "The Maturing of America -- Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population," surveyed 10,000 local U.S. governments to determine their "aging readiness." The report also provided recommendations for communities on how best to provide for an elderly population.
The baby boom generation -- born between 1946 and 1964 -- is reaching retirement age. The demographic event has been dubbed the "silver tsunami" by some commentators.
In 2000 there were 35 million Americans over the age of 65. By 2030 it is predicted that this figure will have doubled. One in five Americans will be senior citizens.
"Given that the first of the baby boomers turned 60 this year, now is really the time for the nation and its communities to ensure that they are age-ready," said Sibyl Jacobson, president and chief executive officer of MetLife Foundation, at a news conference Wednesday.
Some communities are well-prepared, such as Fairfax County, Va. But the report found the majority are not ready.
In general, local governments are prepared to offer basic health and nutritional programs for an increasingly elderly population. However, communities fell short in their ability to implement policies to promote a better quality of life for elder adults, such as transportation options for the elderly who are no longer able to drive, and re-training for older adults who want to -- or need to -- remain in the workforce.
Only 6 percent of local governments reported that they provide job-retraining programs for the elderly.
Some of the recommendations to promote a better quality of life for seniors are as simple as making road signs bigger and easier to read and increasing the allocated crossing time on roads for pedestrians.
Other recommendations were providing wheelchair-friendly housing, tax assistance and better healthcare in terms of access and availability.
Representatives from the five organizations that shaped the report emphasized their recommendations were designed to assist entire communities, not just the elderly.
For example, more time to cross roads could help mothers with small children as well. And since healthcare access is a universal issue, improving it would help the whole community.
"Local government leaders see that strategies good for society as a whole are particularly important for the aging population," said Elizabeth Kellar, deputy executive director of the International City/County Management Association.
Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, told United Press International the main barrier to the widespread implementation of "The Maturing America" policies were often financial. However, preparing for the aging boom does not need to be expensive.
Some of the policy recommendations are no cost, some of them are low cost, and some of them can be implemented as part of a community's regular maintenance of their roads, sidewalks and parks, Markwood said.
"So not having a new pot of resources shouldn't be a stumbling block, and we're hoping that communities won't see it that way," she said.
The panel stressed they're trying to learn from past mistakes.
For instance, local governments weren't ready when the baby boom hit the school systems in the late 50s early 60s. The panel said they were trying to avoid repeating that when it comes to the same demographic hitting senior status.
