... organizations and local residents working together to improve the lives of older adults in Broome County.

Aging Futures is a planning project that involves more than 60 agencies, businesses, faith communities and older persons responding to the needs of the Broome County elder population.

One in five Broome County residents is age 60 or older - 20% of the population. Broome County's senior population is higher than both the national and state averages. Of those 60 and over, 40% are over 75 years of age. Broome's senior population is expected to grow.

Our community is faced with the need to support an elderly population whose care needs range from the simple to the complex.

Seven concerns affect the ability of seniors to remain independent and were given a high priority for action by both seniors and the Aging Futures Partnership.

• Understanding and using services - Continuous efforts are needed to ensure seniors know what services are available and how to use them.
• Managing chronic disease - The public and private cost of providing health care services under Medicare and Medicaid will increase as people with chronic diseases live longer.
• Caregiver support - Assistance to caregivers often increases the likelihood of an elder remaining at home. High costs of nursing home care can be avoided or delayed.
• Remaining socially connected - 30% of seniors live alone.
• Housing - 12% of seniors need home repairs in order to remain there.
• Transportation - Assistance to keep medical appointments and maintain social contacts.
• Legal and financial planning - Improve personal and financial planning supports used by seniors to support their long term care needs.

To address these concerns, the Aging Futures Partnership is supporting collaborative planning to improve the quality of life for all seniors by supporting them in their preferred living environments.

Aging Futures is a planning project that involves more than 60 agencies, businesses, faith communities and older persons responding to the needs of the Broome County senior population.

Our work is based on local data and research. Communities and older adults working together is the key to developing long term care solutions for tomorrow.

07/2005