Deluge of elderly to swamp U.S. communities: study

By Maggie Fox

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A tidal wave of aging Baby Boomers will overwhelm many U.S. communities with special needs such as handicapped access and long-term care, but fewer than half of cities and towns have begun to plan for it, according to a report released on Wednesday.

By 2030, the number of Americans over age 65 will have doubled from 2000, to 71.5 million, equating to one in every five Americans.

But only 46 percent of communities surveyed had even begun to plan for the effects, according to the report from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging or n4a and the MetLife Foundation.

"As a result of their sheer numbers, the rapid rise of an aging population is expected to have both a direct and a dramatic impact on America's communities," Sandy Markwood, chief executive officer of n4a, told a news conference.

"Over half of America's communities have not begun to plan for the aging of their current populations, much less plan for the explosion of aging Baby Boomers," Markwood added.

The U.S. Baby Boom generation is generally defined as those born between 1946 and 1964. The first members of the generation hit 60 this year.

Many expect to retire and get old in the communities where they live now, the report found. They will need special services ranging from senior centers to better public safety, Markwood said.

"To respond to the rapid rise in their aging population, communities will need to provide larger street signage, accessible housing, age appropriate fitness programs, as well as lifelong learning and job re-training opportunities."

Zoning changes may be needed to encourage the construction of single-story houses, for instance, or to allow live-in help in existing homes.

As the generation becomes even more elderly, many will stop driving and will need public transport. "Only 56 percent of communities reported having 'dial a ride' or door-through-door transportation services and only 40 percent of communities reported having road signage that meets the needs of older drivers," the report said.

Dana Kauffman of the Fairfax County, Virginia Board of Supervisors said he was taking note. People over the age of 50 are far more likely to vote than other groups, he said.

He said the board had already discovered that 63 percent of the county's budget was allocated to the 19-and-under population, while just 2 percent could be identified as being aimed at senior citizens.