How Central Ohio plans to adapt to our aging population

Central Ohio’s fast progress and inflow of youthful transplants has overshadowed one other demographic shift: a significant rise in getting older residents.

Why it issues: The U.S. is not well-equipped to deal with this impending improve in older residents attributable to a strained long-term care business, fewer caregivers to help with their wants and a world that simply is not designed for them, Axios’ Tina Reed stories.

State of play: Franklin County’s over-65 inhabitants is projected to just about double by 2040 to 229,000 residents, or 15.4% of the whole inhabitants, per the Scripps Gerontology Middle at Miami College.

• Just below 10% of Franklin County was 65 and older in 2010.
• That quantity had already grown to 12.7% final 12 months.

The massive image: Child boomers are having fun with longer, extra energetic lives than their predecessors and make up the most important era of older adults in U.S. historical past.

Zoom in: Native efforts are focusing on key providers like transportation, housing and well being care — plus, remember about Mayor Andrew Ginther’s promise for a “dramatic” pickleball enlargement.

🩺 Well being care

People are rising extra comfy with home-based care, retail clinics and different choices past the normal physician’s workplace, says Mike Avotins, a Midwest market president for Aetna who relies in Columbus.

The intrigue: Almost half of individuals ages 65 and older have tried digital care visits, a brand new CVS Well being “Way forward for Wholesome Ageing” report finds.

• Avotins tells Axios that continued enhancements should make digital care viable for non-tech savvy customers.

What we’re watching: How our state will tackle a dire scarcity of dwelling well being care staff.

🏡 Housing

Rising previous at dwelling is hard as housing costs and property taxes proceed to rise.

• Extra reasonably priced housing is required for Central Ohioans of all ages, however particularly for getting older residents with extraordinarily low incomes — like the brand new 62-unit complicated in Northland.

Menace degree: “We’re not maintaining tempo,” Katie White, Central Ohio Space Company on Ageing administrator, tells Axios.

🚌 Transportation

At present 89% of surveyed adults over 50 in our eight-county area usually drive themselves locations, per a 2021 evaluation by OSU’s Age Pleasant Innovation Middle.

• Improved walkability and public transportation and choices like trip sharing shall be mandatory for older adults who outlive their capability to drive.

What they’re saying: “What we’re speaking about works higher for individuals of all ages and talents,” middle director Marisa Sheldon tells Axios.

❤️ Social connections

Native teams are working to attach our communities so residents can assist one another.

Zoom in: One instance is the Central Ohio Community of Villages, which organizes social occasions and likewise hyperlinks volunteers with neighbors who want help.