conomists trace old age in modern society to retirement and wage principle; meaning that complex factors affect the health and quality of life as we age. Environment, culture, behavioral and biological factors are interconnected and are often used when collecting data to track, monitor, and report of policies and programs. Data drives decisions that help when determining long-term-services and supports. Some questions we may not think about in our youth:
-Who will care for me as I age?
-How much savings is needed to age in place?
-How would I care for myself if a chronic illness or disease took control of our health?
-What services will I need to live independently?
There is no universal answer to these questions, except that communities are seeing an influx of older adults accessing social services. We experienced living through a pandemic, which for some, added financial stressors referencing taxes, housing, transportation and more importantly, and the inability to afford healthcare. Many older adults and any person with a disability are feeling the affects and feel they have no voice. Isolation is the result of some of the loss of support systems.
Over the years, the relationship between a person’s physical capabilities and environmental dem and, has been the forefront of the Commonwealth’s aging initiatives. Old Colony Planning Council Area Agency on Aging partnered with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) and various aging networks
to create and support communities around mental health, transportation, affordable housing, healthy aging, and social services. The need to invest in future aging is on the minds of every Council on Aging Director. The pressures of funding, resistance to change and the expectations to serve is like a tapestry. Weaving of many threads to connect residents to outreach services and programs. Council on Aging organizations remained connected to the community – open when some organizations closed to the public.
Some may not know, but the Halifax Council on Aging, serves any person 60+ as well as any individual with a disability. We are the core of resources for families and caregivers as well. An example would be Fuel Assistance, State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicare Counseling, and a connection with needs -based agencies such as South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.
What shapes municipal towns are the services it provides to its residents. The Halifax Senior Center, with the support of community, can work toward bringing programs to its residents at any age. With chronic illness and disease on the rise, the cost of healthcare has tapped the pockets of many, and we are here to guide CoA members, caregivers, and families with resources. We ask Halifax residents to be mindful of positive aging when considering to accept the transfer of “debt exempt” funds to revitalize and invest in the future of an age-friendly community on May 9th and 14th.
Click here to View the More Information About COA Newsletter - May 2022
