DRCOG’s Boomer Bond Brad Calvert - Senior Planner

1. DRCOG’s Boomer Bond Brad Calvert - Senior Planner November 2013

2. DRCOG’s Motivation

3. DRCOG Overview • Non-profit, public agency dedicating to serving local governments • Local officials working together to address the region's challenges • Each community has voice in regional decision-making • Program areas: • Advocacy • Aging Services • Environment • Regional growth and development • Shared services • Transportation and traffic operations

4. Headlines – State Aging Demographics • Colorado’s growth in 65+ population 4th fastest nationally (2000 – 2010) • 85+ fastest growing among that group • 2010-2020 growth rate will be nearly twice as much 2000-2010 • Growth in older adult population will outpace other age groups for the next 20 years • Colorado’s growth in its 65 plus population was 4th fastest in the US (2000 – 2010) • Of the population over 65, the population over 85 was the fastest growing age group growing by 44% or 21,397. • Between 2010 and 2020 Colorado’s 65+ population is forecast to increase by 61% - this current decade will be the fastest growing decade for the population over 65. • The growth rate for the 65+ will not slow to a rate similar to other age groups until after 2030 • 65+ population will increase by 150% between 2010 and 2030 • Colorado is home to over 1.3 million Baby Boomers

5. Older Adult Population GrowthDenver Region 2006: 1st Boomers turn 60

6. Rooted and Staying Put Source: 2010 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA) – National Research Center 53% have lived in their community for more than 20 years

7. CO – Income 65+ Householder

8. Model for Aging Well Outlook on Life mental health self-efficacy valued by community spirituality Aging Well Physical Health physical activity nutrition/food security activities of daily living Connection practical support social support engagement in life hobby

9. Communities for Lifelong Living • Communities can facilitate or create barriers to successful aging • Promote physical activity and community engagement • Reduced burden on caregivers • Age-friendly communities benefit all ages • Boomer Bond will support local efforts

10. Boomer Bond Project Overview

11. Boomer Bond – Key Elements • A community assessment tool to facilitate local dialogue and identify priorities • A comprehensive set of policies, strategies and tools for local governments to consider • A voluntary recognition program to highlight local efforts • A voluntary regional agreement to meet the growing needs of an older adult population

12. Boomer Bond Topic Areas

13. Community Design - Issues • Neighborhood environment has greatest impact on older adults • Nearly 50% report difficulty crossing main roads • Walking is most common form of physical activity • Almost half of older adult falls occur outside the home ($9K per fall)

14. Community Engagement - Issues • Understanding of what community engagement means at the local level • Communicating opportunities for engagement, particularly to isolated persons • Managing volunteers and volunteer activities • Difficulty reentering workforce

15. Housing - Issues • Older adults prefer to remain in their homes and communities • Consumer demand for age-friendly design often comes when there is an immediate need • Lack of range of housing options in many communities • Lack of affordable housing alternatives • One-third spend too much on housing

16. Mobility & Access - Issues • Current system is auto- dominated • Nationally 21% of 65+ do not drive • Limited public transportation options/cost of specialized transit • Men outlive their driving years by 7 years, women by 10 • Older adults with disabilities remaining in communities

17. Safety & Security - Issues • Many older adults lack confidence to leave home to complete daily tasks • Increasingly targeted for consumer fraud • Personal safety identified as key barrier preventing transit trips • Effectively leveraging existing programs

18. Support Systems - Issues • Older adults prefer to remain in their homes and communities • Wide array of groups providing community-based support • Status quo for assisting seniors is unsustainable • Efforts to slow growth in Medicaid spending will add pressure to community-based networks

19. What’s been done so far… • Significant outreach to community leaders • Community Assessment tool • 25+ meetings with multi-disciplinary teams to develop and review • Working “professional” version • Pilot communities (3) • Selected TCHD to further program development

20. Lyons, CO – Rebuild or Donate http://www.lyonsfightsback.org

21. Assessment Tool (Revised) • Key Inputs • Previous feedback from Project Teams • Pilot community experience and debrief session • TCHD experience with similar tools

22. Why an Assessment Tool? • “Conversation starter” at the local level (including partners) • Provide structure to what might be an otherwise overwhelming conversation • Resource for local staff leading initiative • First step in defining “problem statement” and/or local priorities for action

23. Boomer Bond Toolkit • Easy transition from assessment to action (think of documents as a pair) • Helps with “what next” questions • Turning a “NO” to “YES” • Expandable, current, and locally relevant • Your input is needed to ensure a quality/useful project

24. Today’s Key Outcomes • Learn what happened after the Project Teams completed the first version of the assessment tool • Share inputs into the reorganization of the tool • Learn from your experiences • Develop common understanding of toolkit purpose and what’s important to the group • Provide feedback on initial toolkit concepts

25. DRCOG’s Boomer Bond Brad Calvert - Senior Planner November 2013