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Business News
Independence, MO —
We have long heard many references made about the “baby boomer” generation. Well, to say they have come of age is certainly not an exaggeration.
In January 2011 the first baby boomers reached the golden age of 65. It is projected that every day for the next 20 years 8,000 to 10,000 members from this generation will reach this milestone that most certainly never could have imagined in those early years.
Another statistic that is a testament to the quality of life many are blessed with, and additionally each day, we have approximately 4,000 Americans reaching the age of 85. While these figures are truly a blessing in so many ways, the challenges this change brings – not just to these individuals and their families but to our community – cannot be overlooked. As these demographic changes occur, so do the needs of citizens to maintain a quality of life and to meet the new challenges.
Trying to makes sense of the data and asking the important question of what can we do “collectively” to address these issues while building upon the longevity and quality of life of those living in Eastern Jackson County, the Truman Heartland Community Foundation under the guidance of Phil Hanson, president and CEO, again took a leadership role and “A Community for All Ages Coalition of Eastern Jackson County” was born.
The coalition’s first meeting was held last fall in Independence. The broad spectrum of 39 individuals from throughout “Eastern Jack” spoke volumes about the interest and concern there is for our citizens. Equally important was the willingness shown in working together to make a difference.
What we found out was every community in Eastern Jackson County is, and will continue to be, impacted by the “silver tsunami.” What was equally true is a positive response is directly related to collective planning and preparation. There are some opportunities, and the aging and longevity of Eastern Jackson County is indeed an asset that requires the collective involvement of every community.
Data from the 2010 census provide us somewhat of a road map and predictor of the aging journey of our communities. While the data at this time were only available for communities with a population of 20,000 or more, I am confident they are representative of all the extended communities of Eastern Jackson County.
The breakdown for the four biggest cities in Eastern Jackson County:
• Blue Springs – 52,575 residents, 9.4 percent of whom are 65 or older and 26.4 percent of whom are 45 to 64. That means 36 percent, or 18,802 people, are part of the silver tsunami.
We have long heard many references made about the “baby boomer” generation. Well, to say they have come of age is certainly not an exaggeration.
In January 2011 the first baby boomers reached the golden age of 65. It is projected that every day for the next 20 years 8,000 to 10,000 members from this generation will reach this milestone that most certainly never could have imagined in those early years.
Another statistic that is a testament to the quality of life many are blessed with, and additionally each day, we have approximately 4,000 Americans reaching the age of 85. While these figures are truly a blessing in so many ways, the challenges this change brings – not just to these individuals and their families but to our community – cannot be overlooked. As these demographic changes occur, so do the needs of citizens to maintain a quality of life and to meet the new challenges.
Trying to makes sense of the data and asking the important question of what can we do “collectively” to address these issues while building upon the longevity and quality of life of those living in Eastern Jackson County, the Truman Heartland Community Foundation under the guidance of Phil Hanson, president and CEO, again took a leadership role and “A Community for All Ages Coalition of Eastern Jackson County” was born.
The coalition’s first meeting was held last fall in Independence. The broad spectrum of 39 individuals from throughout “Eastern Jack” spoke volumes about the interest and concern there is for our citizens. Equally important was the willingness shown in working together to make a difference.
What we found out was every community in Eastern Jackson County is, and will continue to be, impacted by the “silver tsunami.” What was equally true is a positive response is directly related to collective planning and preparation. There are some opportunities, and the aging and longevity of Eastern Jackson County is indeed an asset that requires the collective involvement of every community.
Data from the 2010 census provide us somewhat of a road map and predictor of the aging journey of our communities. While the data at this time were only available for communities with a population of 20,000 or more, I am confident they are representative of all the extended communities of Eastern Jackson County.
The breakdown for the four biggest cities in Eastern Jackson County:
• Blue Springs – 52,575 residents, 9.4 percent of whom are 65 or older and 26.4 percent of whom are 45 to 64. That means 36 percent, or 18,802 people, are part of the silver tsunami.
• Independence – 116,830 residents, 16.1 percent of whom are 65 or older and 27.4 percent of whom are 45 to 64. That means 43 percent, or 50,744 people, are part of the silver tsunami.
• Lee’s Summit – 91,364 residents, 11.5 percent of whom are 65 or older and 26.6 percent of whom are 45 to 64. That means 38 percent, or 34,818 people, are part of the silver tsunami.
• Raytown – 29,526 residents, 16.2 percent of whom are 65 or older and 27.8 percent of whom are 45 to 64. That means 44 percent, or 12,985 people, are part of the silver tsunami.
The coalition continues to meet regularly, and this week many of our members attended a seminar, “The New Culture of Aging,” at the Kauffman Foundation. The commitment to our Eastern Jackson County community is to make “aging in place” – and in this case, the “place” is Eastern Jackson County you call home – as much of a reality and possibility as we can make. There is more to this story coming.
