Editor’s note: This commentary is by Angela Smith-Dieng, a resident of Burlington who is executive director of the Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
[W]e all know that baby boomers are reaching retirement age in growing numbers daily, but did you know that this phenomenon is even more striking in Vermont? According to the census, Vermont is considered the second oldest state in the nation, and over 36 percent of Vermont households include a person age 60 or older. With this demographic shift in mind, it is critical that Vermonters consider how we create communities that best support our family, friends and neighbors to age with health, dignity and independence.
Vermont’s five Area Agencies on Aging work hard every day to meet this goal by supporting elders to live at home or in the setting of their choice, to know their care options and make the choices right for them, to have the tools they need like nutritious meals, exercise programs and financial management support, and so much more. These services provided by the Agencies on Aging are largely hidden from the broader community but are extremely visible within the homes and lives of aging Vermonters, who, through these services, are able to live healthy and independent lives long past retirement.
What does it take to build a livable community for all ages, to prevent elder exploitation and abuse, and to sustain financial security for a long retirement?
This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act, as well as the 80th anniversary of Social Security, key programs playing an integral role in supporting Americans to age with dignity and independence. The 2015 White House Conference on Aging, being held on July 13 in Washington, D.C., and live streamed for all to see, is an opportunity to recognize the importance of these key programs as well as to look ahead to the next decade. What do we need to do to ensure our growing elder population is well supported in the long term? What will our workforce need to look like to support elders’ health and well-being? What does it take to build a livable community for all ages, to prevent elder exploitation and abuse, and to sustain financial security for a long retirement?
The Conference on Aging is engaging communities across the country in these questions and conversations. Here in Vermont, the Agencies on Aging think about these topics every day. We hope the Conference on Aging and other local forums will encourage you to join us in considering these same questions so that together we can create a state that sees its status as second oldest in the country as a real opportunity rather than as a problem.
Learn more about the White House Conference on Aging and connect to the live stream event here. Older Vermonters, caregivers, and family may call the statewide Senior HelpLine at 1-800-642-5119 toll-free from anywhere in Vermont to connect with your local Agency on Aging for answers, referrals and support with the aging process.
