Senior Affairs are serious concerns for Americans, Dallas residents

Senior Affairs are serious concerns for Americans, Dallas residents

It has been called the Silver Tsunami and it will ultimately affect everyone in the city of Dallas. By the year 2030, more than 92 million people in the United States will be 60 or older. One out of every four Dallas residents, at least 426,000 residents will meet this description.

Here is the economic reality:

  • 75 percent of single Social Security recipients 65 or older depend on this source for all or most of their monthly income.
  • 23 million older Americans are economically insecure, often causing stress-related health issues.

The Silver Tsunami will impact City services, health and social structures, sustainable housing and employers. The City’s Senior Affairs Commission is informing residents and leaders about challenges related to housing, healthcare, financial planning and politics. The Commission is supported by the City’s Senior Services Program, teamed with AARPs Age Friendly Communities initiative to increase affordable housing and improve transportation options and civic and social involvement.

District 7 Senior Affairs Commissioner, Cannon Flowers said proactively addressing senior issues is an untapped opportunity for the City.

“While the City has made progress in recognizing community solutions for senior hunger and poverty, much work is yet to be done on building inter-generational relationships, re-defining traditional career models for area employers and enhancing the livability of our neighborhoods for people of all ages,” Flowers said.

The end result of the Commission’s work will be an action plan on how to make the city more livable for persons of all ages. The issue isn’t just City government and its constituents. By 2029, one-fifth of the U.S. population will be 65 or older and more than 50 million of these people will exit the workforce into retirement; taking their talent and wisdom with them.

“There’s a strategic opportunity to institute age-smart thinking that garners well-designed, livable communities that foster and retain talent, promote health and sustain economic growth as they make for happier, healthier residents of all ages and all generations,” Flowers said.

The City of Dallas Senior Affairs Commission will next meet from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at City Hall, 1500 Marilla St., room L1EN. The meeting will also be broadcast live on channel 99 for Time Warner and AT&T U-Verse customers, channel 47 for Verizon customers and online at http://dallastx.swagit.com/dnc96-live/.

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