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The Health Trust says healthy aging is a priority in making Silicon Valley the healthiest region in America
WGrowing population of seniors offers opportunities, challenges for increasing wellness in older adults
June 5th, 2007, San Jose, CA - The Health Trust celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a comprehensive strategic planning process that led to a bold new vision for its next decade – to make Silicon Valley the healthiest region in America. The Health Trust has also announced that healthy aging for the growing population of older adults will be a priority focus area to help make this vision become a reality.
"By the year 2025, the population of Silicon Valley residents over the age of 65 will double, and this age group will represent one in eight residents," said Todd Hansen, Acting Chief Executive Officer of The Health Trust. "Middle-aged adults (ages 45-64) will constitute one in four of the region’s residents. With age comes the increased likelihood of a health issue, so this demographic shift could easily overwhelm the health care resources of our community. By focusing on prevention and wellness, our goal is to increase the quality of life of older individuals – to keep them healthy and active for as long as possible."
Hansen said that although statistics show seniors may be at a higher risk for disease and injury, the same preventive measures that are extending average life spans can also contribute to increased wellness for older adults. The Health Trust will partner with the Council on Aging – Silicon Valley and other nonprofit organizations, government agencies and health institutions on initiatives that improve the well-being of seniors in Silicon Valley.
Why senior population is growing
The estimated 74 million members of America’s Baby Boomer generation have had a significant impact on society at every stage of life. Now that the Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are moving into "senior" status, the health care system will soon feel the effects of the "Baby Boom bulge."
The growing senior population also comes from increasing average life expectancies of Americans, credited to advances in technology and science, as well as more people trying to embrace a healthy, active lifestyle in their retirement years. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources reports that life expectancy in America is at an all-time high. A child born in the United States in 1900 had an average life expectancy of 47.3 years, while a child born in 2002 is expected to live to 77. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that average life expectancies will continue to increase. By mid-century – when the first Baby Boomers are celebrating their 100th birthdays -- it is anticipated that the average life expectancy for women will have increased from the 2000 average of 80 years to 87 years, and men from 74 to 81 years.
Risk of health issue increases with age
The 2005-06 County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey identified the prevalence of certain health issues among seniors in Santa Clara County. The good news, according to Hansen, is that each of these conditions can be prevented or minimized by changes in lifestyle, such as more exercise and better nutrition.
| Health Issue | Prevalence among 45-54 |
Prevalence among 55-64 |
Prevalence among 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|
High cholesterol |
39.2% |
46.3% |
54.9% |
Diabetes |
7.3% |
14.2% |
18.2% |
Hypertension |
23.3% |
38.9% |
56.3% |
Depression is also a serious issue for the elderly, and yet it is estimated that between 70% and 90% of seniors nationally receive no treatment for depression. Again, Hansen emphasized, depression is a treatable condition with proper diagnosis and medication.
"One of my favorite books is entitled Dare To Be 100," said Hansen. "We want to help our senior population take on that challenge and become the community with more centigenarians than anywhere else in the U.S. The Health Trust is eager to support and build capacity in the many effective programs that exist to help our seniors continue to thrive and enjoy wellness."
Hansen said there is much to be done. A comprehensive survey of critical needs currently facing older adults in Santa Clara County, completed in 2005 as a joint project of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County, includes a long list of problems that Hansen predicts will only get worse as the number of seniors increases:
- Limited access to public transportation, lack of availability of paratransit services and assistance boarding public transit. (Lack of transportation is the primary barrier to receiving timely and adequate healthcare across all ethnic groups.)
- Lack of information about how to access services
- Lack of services for older adults who do not speak English as a primary language
- Lack of health professionals with gerontology/geriatric training
- Poor linkages between health care and long-term care
- Shortages of affordable in-home care services and lack of care management services
"We need to come together as a community to address these and other issues," stated Hansen.
Meals On Wheels addresses nutritional concerns
Even the most basic need of humans – food – is an alarming problem for seniors, according to Hansen. The Health Trust operates the Meals On Wheels program that delivers more than 88,000 hot meals a year to frail elderly in Santa Clara County.
"For many reasons, a significant number of seniors are under-nourished," he said. "About half of all seniors take multiple medications daily, increasing the chance they will experience a change in appetite and lose interest in eating. Many live alone and aren’t motivated to shop for fresh foods and prepare home-cooked meals. And a distressing number of seniors just don’t have enough money to buy food for themselves."
Another significant factor The Health Trust will consider in meeting the health needs of the growing population of seniors in Silicon Valley is the region’s diversity. There are strong and clear linkages between age, ethnicity and disability status. No long range projections exist at this time about English proficiency among seniors, but between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, the proportion of 65+ adults in Santa Clara County who reported speaking a language other than English in their home increased from 27% to 35%—an indication that a rising numbers of seniors are likely to face barriers to securing culturally appropriate healthcare.
"Wellness and quality of life are lifelong pursuits – a journey, not an endpoint," Hansen said. "The Health Trust will work with partner organizations, healthcare professionals and concerned citizens to address these issues and others, so that all residents can look forward to aging well, with grace, dignity and independence for as long as possible."
About The Health Trust
Since 1996, The HealthTrust has been a leader in increasing and improving health and wellness in Silicon Valley, especially for individuals and communities that do not have access to the health-related services and resources they need. Its bold new vision – to make Silicon Valley the healthiest region in America – will be supported by three strategic focus areas: preventing obesity, encouraging healthy aging, and reducing health disparities that exist because of ethnic/cultural barriers.
