Larimer County Summit on Aging
Shaping the Future of Larimer County
Abstract: The Graying of Larimer County: Implications and Opportunities for the Future
Profile of Aging in Larimer County
Susanna D. Bozinovski, PhD
Broomfield, Colorado
One of the most noteworthy trends of this century is the unprecedented growth in the mid-life and older populations. In this presentation, various facets and implications of population aging, especially for Larimer County, will be reviewed. Housing, and social and economic characteristics related to aging will be discussed. Recent and current information will be juxtaposed with future projections and trends. Certain Larimer County demographic information will be presented within the larger contexts of state-level, national, and global aging. Knowledge and understanding of this type of information can empower participants to make their communities more “aging-friendly.”
Additional data and information will be offered highlighting the unmet needs arenas identified as critical in Larimer County. These include health care, housing, support services and transportation. Using most recently available reports, these unmet needs will be described and their current and future costs will be assessed. This presentation will set the context for more in-depth discussion of these critical needs areas later in the Summit.
While our communities can work to prepare for meeting these unmet needs, the graying of Larimer County also brings many potential benefits. Mid-life and older residents offer significant strengths and assets, for example, in high levels of civic engagement, volunteerism, and family support activities. The value of these contributions to the community is considerable and should be included in analyses, policy making, and business planning.
The guiding premise of this presentation is that all societal sectors (businesses, non-profits, government, families, individuals, etc.) will need to understand the implications of an aging community. With this understanding as a foundation, stakeholders can work collaboratively to create a thriving Larimer County in the coming years. Utilizing this information will undoubtedly assist organizations in maximizing their future success.
