A big piece of the proposed MAPS 3 program in Oklahoma City includes aquatic centers be placed around the city ... for exclusive use of SENIORS.
Modeled after the centers in North Little Rock, Ark., the centers would provide all kinds of opportunities for citizens older than 50.
How forward-thinking is that? Planning for recreational and therapeutic activities for the fastest-growing segment of the population! They have used MAPS for revitalizing downtown, upgrading public schools, libraries and cultural centers, streets and so, now, they are planning with senior citizens in mind. My hat is off to them.
In the United States, the people born between 1946 and 1964 are known as baby boomers. There are approximately 78 million people known as boomers. The oldest of this group turned 60 in 2006. That is a sizable group of people who will need health and social services tailored to meet their needs as senior citizens. Planning for boomers who are having birthdays in the sixth decade of living is a must for communities that want to be vital.
Why is it so important? One reason is that naturally, developmentally, in life aging requires fulfillment of changing needs. For example, the needs of security of an infant are different from the security requirements of a 40-year-old whose security needs are much different from those of a 70-year-old. Another is the mobility issue of driving and then no longer driving. Think of the differences in the ages and the music favored by each generation. Medical needs are different for different age groups.
I don’t need to list all the reasons of importance. I don’t even know all the reasons. Suffice it to say that taking care of senior citizens is the right thing to do. And, in order to do it right, it needs to have sufficient vision and planning.
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging has developed “10 Best Practices” to help communities prepare for the aging population boom that is expected. They include: 1. Preventive health care; 2. Nutrition education; 3. Age-appropriate fitness programs and recreational facilities; 4. Safe driving assistance; 5. Special planning and training for public safety personnel and other first responders; 6. Home modification programs to help people adjust for special needs; 7. Tax assistance and property-tax relief for people in financial need; 8. Job training, re-training and lifelong learning opportunities; 9. Community engagement opportunities; 10. Single point of access to all aging information and services in the community.
In the near future and not-so-near future, what do we want for our senior populations? How do we want to help provide security for that segment of our citizens? Will we fund senior programs with sales taxes?
— Provided by Adult Day Services Inc.
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