The entire month of May, the Sussex County Aging Network (SCAN) has celebrated Older Americans Month by relating stories about extraordinary elders in Sussex County. The culmination of our month of recognition, Older Americans Day, is fast approaching (May 28th). For our final release, we’d like to speak about challenges facing the senior community in Sussex County.
Agencies serving seniors are tugged at two ends: traditional funding for services from local and state governments is imperiled, just as the number of people in need of our services increases. Sussex County’s aged population is increasing more rapidly than most other communities of older Americans. Under current projections, the population 65 and older will make up the largest proportion of population growth in Sussex County by the year 2030.
And it’s not just that there are increasing numbers of senior citizens in Sussex County: seniors are living longer. An octogenarian or a nonagenarian was a rare occurrence a generation or two ago. Currently, senior agencies see several advanced aged persons in their clientele. Advances in years often mean declines in health; providing support services for the aged exponentially improves quality of life, while recognizing the shift in demographics. Taking care of younger seniors paves the way for healthier older seniors.
The seniors we’ve profiled this month will tell you how much SCAN agencies have helped them improve their quality of life: either through offering fitness, nutrition, and support programs or providing opportunities to volunteer or work after retirement.
The problems facing senior citizens today are not going to vanish while we tend to other pressing matters: these issues will persist and increase. We encourage volunteerism and activism not just among our seniors, but also among the population of Sussex County at large. Contact your local senior center and give your time or a donation. We can promise that every little bit helps. A mark of a caring society is the way it treats its elders: we owe it to the aged to help preserve their dignity. Help SCAN with this mission.
If we address the challenges outlined above through effort and steady funding, surely we’ll be able to help seniors fulfill this year’s theme for Older Americans Month: “Age Strong! Live Long!”
For more information, contact Jesse Lanier CHEER Marketing. (302) 856-5187
