Report addresses aging population in America

A new study, "The Maturing of America: Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population," is the most comprehensive report ever on the aging-readiness of America.

The report found that less than half of American cities and counties have plans in place to meet the needs of aging baby boomers. The baby boom generation- those born between 1946 and 1964- is rapidly approaching retirement age.

The study results show that although many communities have some programs to address the needs of older adults, very few have fully assessed what it would take to make their community "elder friendly."

Studies indicate that the vast majority of Americans would prefer to remain in the communities where they live as they age, to stay close to family and friends.

Key findings of the report include the following.

+Health care: In one-third of communities surveyed, older adults do not have access to a range of needed preventive health care services, such as health education, communitybased health screenings and counseling on prescription drug programs.

+Nutrition: Eighty percent of communities have programs providing home-delivered meals for older adults, though only 25 percent provide nutrition education for seniors.

+Exercise: More than one-third of communities do not have fitness programs for older adults, though 86 percent report having biking/walking trails.

+Transportation: Many communities are not addressing the mobility needs of an aging population. For example, only 40 percent of communities reported having road signage that meets the needs of older drivers.

+Aging/Human Services: Although it is expected that aging baby boomers will demand it, many communities do not offer a comprehensive single point of entry for information and access to all aging services.

The report is available at www.n4a.org.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.