Laserfiche WebLink
Building toward the boom <br />To prepare for the trends outlined here, a <br />regional approach is important. The Twin <br />Cities area needs to: <br />■ Offer seniors more options between the <br />extremes of complete independence and <br />th nursing home. <br />■ Accommodate an aging population in <br />communities designed for younger adults <br />with children. <br />■ Prepare to finance and deliver a large <br />increase in supportive services when Baby <br />Boomers reach very old age. <br />■ Create a menu of flexible, long-term <br />services so seniors can get different levels <br />of help as their needs change. <br />■ Attend to the often-ignored group of near­ <br />poor seniors (up to 200 percent of the <br />federal poverty line). <br />To be livable over the long term for seniors, <br />housing must be designed or adapted to <br />accommodate people with disabilities. Basic <br />supportive services must be affordable and <br />available nearby. In the Twin Cities area, the <br />senior population is shifting toward suburban <br />counties where services and amenities are <br />accessible only by automobile. Seniors who <br />live in those areas are choosing to stay there <br />as they age. In central cities and first-ring <br />suburbs, an already large senior postulation <br />will continue to expand. <br />The temptation may be strong to plan for the <br />immediate future. A wiser course is to build <br />more llexibilily into housing projects and <br />regulations, preparing communities to <br />accommodate residents at all stages of life. <br />This summary presents highlights from <br />Building Toward the Senior Boom, a 1999 study <br />by Wilder Research Center for East Metro <br />Seniors Agenda for Independent Living. <br />Please see the full report for important context <br />about data sources. The population statistics <br />come from many sources, including the U.S. <br />Bureau of the Census, the Minnesota State <br />Demographic Center, and the Metropolitan <br />Council. Where local data is lacking, the study <br />draws inferences from state and national <br />trends. Wilder Research Center compiled the <br />1998 senior housing inventory, building on the <br />work of several local agencies. <br />For additional copies or more information, <br />contact East Metro SAIL at 651-552-3111, or <br />go to www.wilder.org/w'^c. <br />Building towani the senior boom 8 Wilder Reseanh Center for East Metn> SAUL