Issue Position: Considerations for the Elder Population

Issue Position

Considerations for the elderly populations will include home and community services, health care needs, and overall support. Based on my experience as a professional firefighter and EMT, it's clear that a majority of the elderly population are within our neighborhoods and not in care facilities. Elders living at home will require the same type of household maintenance support as the rest of the community, but face greater challenges based on age, health, and physical abilities.

Taking into consideration the needs of the elderly population we must consider access to community services, individual cost factors, and a clear understanding of what services are the most cost effective and are in the greatest demand. This can be accomplished through strategic planning, availability of services, population in need of services, and future population growth. A gap analysis will compare what is needed versus what is currently available. Clear and reliable resources must be identified and made available to the elder population.

Additional concerns that affect our elder population are cost factors impacting their ability to live at home, property taxes, health care, and transportation needs. With our senior population living alone and longer than ever before, we are required to plan and anticipate a greater demand for services.

One philosophy that seems to be gaining interest is multi-use communities. The concept, though not new, does have a sound basis. The idea of creating affordable housing that reduces the demands of maintaining a residential home allows for independence, self-expression, and social interactions addresses many seniors' concerns.

The design of the community brings resources to the area such as local shopping, medical care, and entertainment. The design reduces the impacts of limited mobility, transportation needs, and encourages residence participation in their community. The result is a cost effective, central location of independent residents that maintain their dignity, are treated with respect, and are engaged in their neighborhood.

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