The Why

For their life success, it is key that older adults have the supports that they need to age well in the community of their choice. Cities and towns that are age friendly bring about a better quality of life for older adults and everyone that lives in them.

• Nationally, almost 10,000 Baby Boomers turn the age of 65 every day.
• People are living longer and healthier lives; while ultimately a fortunate circumstance, this is putting a strain on health care and human services capacity.
• Those aged 50 and older are a growing segment of people experiencing homelessness.
• United Way manages the Aging Well Volunteer Recruitment Initiative, which connects volunteers with older adult serving organizations throughout Weld County.

Challenges

Across the United States, a seismic human services shift is occurring as the Baby Boomer generation—the largest generation in size until Millennials—enters into retirement age. As people live longer, more assistance specifically for older adults is needed, both for those growing older at home, and for those living in long-term care facilities. Colorado’s 65+ population is growing at the third fastest rate in the nation—between 2010 and 2020 this group grew 75% in Weld County.

This situation is difficult for many households and can be costly for our community. Locally, there will be an increased need for activities such as home delivered meals, transportation, personal care services, case management and helping with chores, to list just a few. A 2018 Weld County survey indicated that 25% of older adults have experienced a problem accessing safe and affordable transportation.

Investments

It’s crucial for older adults to have the necessary support to age well in their chosen community. Age-friendly cities and towns enhance the quality of life for older adults and all residents. However, meeting these needs can be challenging for many households and costly for the community.

What United Way Invests in:

• Enhancing physical and mental health outcomes for older adults
• Supporting individuals with memory and dementia issues along with their caregivers
• Ensuring access to food
• Offering case management and grief recovery support
• Expanding housing, recreation, and transportation options
• Facilitating volunteer connections for assisting older adults