by william e. kelly
AN AGING POPULATION
ADDRESSING Studies across the nation have focused attention on the implications of a rapidly aging population with similar recommendations, common concerns
and challenges. The warning is consistent. If preventative strategies addressing our aging and diverse population are not devised, we will find ourselves trapped into more costly, reactionary and inadequate strategies that will decimate the national economy and standards of living we have come to expect. These issues have serious impact on the LGBT community and every diverse community that composes this country. While aging issues are identical
for all seniors, the probability and priority order of those issues are dictated by a senior’s geographic location, health, social, cultural, family and other variable conditions. In short, there are no “one-size-fits-all” strategies for these diverse populations. Establishing successful strategies to meet the chal- lenges being faced requires earnest collaboration and cooperation between qualified diverse citizen representatives, their government, the non-profits that serve them and the for-profit organizations that depend on them to stay in business. Together they can identify both unique diversity-driven and universal-age-driven issues and devise strategies to address them both. With the support of our mayor and city council and the Senior Affairs Advisory Board (SAAB) , the proposed methodology is to review U.S. Census data
and other official records to map the San Diego senior population by demographic characteristics where they reside. Overlaying this information on city street maps provides a tool to identify where services are inadequately located or do not exist and more accurately report conditions and recommenda- tions over the next 12-18 months. As stated; the aging issues are identical for all seniors. Yet, the probability and priority order of each issue is dictated by geographic location, health, social, economic, cultural, family and other variable conditions specific to the many segments of our diverse population.
A SAN DIEGO COUNTY EXAMPLE: After a decade as an ad hoc senior advocate at-large with the incred-
ible support of community volunteers and organizations, former Interim Mayor Todd Gloria nominated and the San Diego City Council approved my appointment to the SAAB this past March. Four months later, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer appointed me Chairman. I take this honor and responsibility very seriously and all citizens of San Diego deserve to know my intentions and I seek their input. In short, the SAAB serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council on policies and issues impacting seniors. Accordingly, the SAAB will formally request each member of the city
council nominate a resident of their district to the mayor for approval by the city council, as the liaison from their district to serve on the board and/ or participate on committees assembled by the SAAB.
For more specifics, visit
sandiego.gov/saab. Just think about it!
Just a few predictions using San Diego County’s numbers as an example, based on the 2010 Federal Census projections: There will be 200,000 San Diegans 60 years of age or older in five years. One out of four is currently caring for at least one senior relative. One out of four homeless persons is a veteran and/or aged 60 or greater. One out of four will be aged 60 or over by 2039.
For more information on the costs associated with aging populations
in California by county check out; “The California Elder Economic Secu- rity Index (Elder Index), the only county-specific measure of the minimum income necessary to cover all of a retired older adult’s (65+ years) basic expenses—housing, food, health care and transportation. The Elder Index is calculated using credible, publicly available data for each of California’s 58 counties and the City of Los Angeles.” Taken from the Insight Center For Community Economic Development’s website.
To locate this resource, click the Insight Network tab and look for the CA Elder Index by County tab within at
insightcenterced.org.
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RAGE monthly | SEPTEMBER 2014
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