Too few to care for you?

SANDUSKY — According to a 2018 research article by the University of Southern California, titled Seniors Will Soon Outnumber Children, but the U.S. isn't Ready, the main message driven home related to how there are too few professionals trained to work with older adults. It is reported that by 2035, older Americans 65 and older will outnumber children under 18 — and the demand for caregiving will skyrocket. If you live in Erie County, guess what: We are already there. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, Erie County's total population is 74,938 based on estimates from 2019 to 2023: • Children under 18: 14,981, equating to about 20% of the county's population • Adults 65 and older: 17,265, equating to about 23% of the population If we were to add in 6,278, which is the size of the 60-to-64 age group, that number is about 31%. According to Profiles, "46.7% of practicing physicians were over the age of 55 as of 2021, meaning a large portion of today's provider workforce is expected to retire within the next 10 years. We need feedback On June 26, Serving Our Seniors hosted Dr. Ashley Rosko of the Ohio State University Medical Center, who spoke at our forum about the doctor shortage and the health care labor shortage, in general. She told the audience, "The health care system is broken." She went on to say that older people have to become more invested in taking better care of themselves now if they are going to age well in the future. Serving Our Seniors agrees. The same directive applies to middle-aged adults, too. Serving Our Seniors would like to hear from you to help us in the quest to help older adults maintain their health and functional independence while living in Erie County. What would you recommend be done by Serving Our Seniors to help you improve your health, at age 60 or better? Send your suggestions by: • Mailing letters to Serving Our Seniors, 310 E. Boalt St., Sandusky, OH 44870 • Emailing mail@servingourseniors.org • Calling 419-624-1856 and leave your message in the general delivery voice mailbox