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Doesn't everyone
want the option of remaining in the town where they spent most
of their adult life?
The Town
of
Hurley is getting old. Demographics highlight the aging
of
our
residents.
Town of Hurley
Percent of Population Age 55 and Older
(Source: US Census)
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1950
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25.3%
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1960
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16.4%
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1990
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25.2%
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2000
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30.2%
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To remain in familiar surroundings a senior
citizen may need both physically and fiscally appropriate
housing and supportive services.
Finances may dictate finding less
expensive housing as real estate taxes, home heating,
and maintenance
costs rise while income is fixed. Health issues may compromise
one's ability to manage stairs or, as we age, we may
need assistance caring for ourselves or maintaining our
home.
The
initial survey indicated strong support for housing and
services that would enable senior residents to ‘age
in place.’ |
Services
The most frequent services needed include transportation, recreation,
home delivered meals, housekeeping assistance, home health
assistance, shopping, and home maintenance.
Few of these services prove feasible or cost effective
for the town to offer independently to our small population. Our
research showed, however, many of these services are already
offered on a county-wide
basis.
Some are only available privately through family, neighbors,
or 'for hire.' Some are offered by volunteer organizations;
some require means testing.
We found, though, that most residents
are unaware of available services or of the gaps that exist.
Potential Solutions
The Town should publicize services available
through the county and advocate for services needed but not available.
We
believe that in a town like
ours
some of those gaps can and should
be
filled
by friends and neighbors.
That’s
what makes Hurley a great place to live.
Volunteer Support
We recommend that the Town
Board foster and support volunteer efforts to assist neighbors
and publicize the services that are available. Neighbors
can ensure that none of our elderly residents
remain isolated, especially in times of storm emergencies.
Many
towns have organized volunteers to visit, transport, shop, and
provide other supportive services. We would like to see a similar
volunteer effort started here.
Information and Referral
Our public education and communication
vehicles can include on-going articles about services available.
We could have a local information and referral line to connect
people with resources.
The committee recommends forming a Senior Citizen's
Advisory Committee to research model programs in other communities
and put a program of supportive volunteers and information and
referral in place here. The Town may need to support this effort
with seed money or grant applications.
Senior Housing
When the time comes to scale down to one floor or less
square
footage many residents would like the option to stay
in town.
Many expressed
concern about the lack of ‘accessible’ housing
available here. We have made several recommendations about
senior or accessible housing elsewhere.
Re-Survey
Because so many of our citizens will become
seniors over the next few years, we recommend that the Town
re-survey in three to five years to assess changes in the adequacy
of services available.
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