As many in Southeastern N.C. reach retirement, what does future hold?
"The guy was helping me load my bags in the car," Trickett said. "He said, 'I'm getting too old for this. I'm turning 62 next year and I'm going to start my
Trickett would know. He retired to
He's seen both sides of the aging of America.
The folks at the
-- More people are over age 60 than under 17.
-- Those 65 and older are becoming the largest demographic group.
-- Within 20 years, the largest demo group might actually be 85 and older.
"I worry because many of us who retired here have pensions or annuities or investment incomes that other folks, that is, people who grew up here, might not have," Trickett said. "People here are barely surviving if they're solely on
Communication and volunteerism
A livable, steady income for those aging out of regular work is just one of the areas of concerns for the administrators, officials and volunteers across our six-county footprint --
They have discarded quick fixes because our aging environment demands long-term solutions: In 1972, people 65-plus could expect to live 15 more years, but now it's closer to 20.
Trickett sees communication and volunteerism as a huge solution to making ends meet for all seniors.
"There are pockets of folks right here in our areas that are living on the edge and we could help them with better communication and advertising, for example," said Trickett, who volunteers at
"We need to let more of our neighbors know about these things, and especially find a way to get them access to them."
The group began with a questionnaire for seniors to identify the services needed.
According to Silver, the top three issues to emerge from the survey:
-- Transportation -- "How seniors can get around from downtown for groceries or to the pharmacy, for instance."
-- Income -- "Because so many are on tight budgets that they pass up things that aren't covered by
-- Information -- "The other end of the health/
"We're not talking just about the use of cars, but about bicycles and walkability," Hughes said. "How can we give residents a safe, reasonable distance to access a variety of things and places without using vehicles?"
Bringing stability to the economy
As for income, while there may be disparity between pension-level retirees with disposable monies and seniors who live
Retirees moving here "bring some wealth and income that provides stability to the economy," said
The well-heeled retirees, said Hall, also insure progressive communities: "Their property taxes fund a lot of things they don't use, which makes you wonder if property taxes will be earmarked in the future. Retirees help fund the schools, but they don't necessarily use them. They have other needs from the public sector -- security and public safety are examples."
Not thinking like a senior
As for learning new job skills, both
The information solutions come in two parts: gaining knowledge about how to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle and learning new skills to secure jobs that can supplement incomes.
Lutz knows personally how active retires can be. "The whole idea of aging is so different today," she said. "We aren't talking about folks in wheelchairs with blankets covering their legs. My mother is 89: she rides a bike, walks a mile very day and drives a car."
"These seniors, they don't even think they're seniors," she said. "They plan a monthly adventure -- kayaking, canoing, paddleboard, disc golf, fishing."
The information exchange, especially involving heath care developments for seniors and their families challenges health care providers.
"We have learned how to get creative when coordinating care," said
Last year, for example, Novant implemented a patient education channel that provides patient education via TV throughout the day. The same programs and education are available online as well, so families living may benefit from the same information. Hospital staff also coordinates conference calls and Skype visits with families who live out of state.
"Sometimes, it can be a great comfort to patients and their families just to lay eyes on each other," Stevens said.
Further, said
Living smart
Kolomar's colleague Lutz believes smart technology is a key to independence late in life.
"These types of smart technologies will help elderly stay connected to family members who live outside the area," Lutz said.
Ironically, said
"Baby boomers (hovering around age 60) and the millennials (hovering around age 30) want many of the same things," she said.
Reflecting on his retirement in
"It's a good life here," Trickett said. "You don't want that to be misleading to anyone."
Metro desk: 343-2384
On Twitter: @StarNewsOnline
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