Getting By With A Little Help From My Friends

By 2020, 30 percent of Erie County's population is projected to be aged 60 or older. How well-prepared are we to address this significant change in our demographics? How will we take care of ourselves as well as others in the coming years? Who can we depend upon to be there when we need help?As individuals, we are generally aging better and living longer than our parents. But most of us will experience a decline in our ability to function and we may require assistance to some degree. For many, vision and hearing decline in later life, as does balance and muscular strength. Outpatient medical procedures, medical testing or hospitalizations are more common as we age. Aside from health issues, many older adults find themselves becoming more socially isolated due to retirement from work, children moving away, limited transportation and mobility, or deaths of family and friends. Taking care of your home may become challenging for you alone, or you may find yourself unable to drive.Numerous studies have been conducted on communities where people most successfully age and live longer than others. In the U.S. and around the world, researchers have come to the same conclusion. The number one predictor of longevity is your social life. Those of us who have plenty of caring, supportive, social relationships are most likely to live longer and to enjoy a high quality of life. Good relationships keep us healthier and happier, and it is not the quantity but the quality of those relationships that matter most.Do you have friends and family who will be there for you as you grow older? If you were fortunate to answer that question with a resounding "yes" today, will your answer be the same five years from now? And how are you doing when it comes to meeting new people and forming new friendships? Are you willing to reciprocate and help others?Serving Our Seniors is taking an innovative approach to helping older adults in Erie County strengthen and expand their social circles. We are sending out a survey on socialization to Erie County residents next month. If you receive the survey, we would appreciate hearing from you. We are interested in learning about your social circles, your interests, and barriers to an active social life. Results of the survey will help us create a program that develops productive, social relationships that supports maintaining your independence in Erie County.We're hoping to find that we'll all get by with a little help from our friends. AGING: Will You Need Someone To Be There For You?In 2011 the first wave of baby-boomers turned age 65. In 2020, 30 percent of Erie County's population is projected to be age 60 or older, although it is true that we are aging better. There are social consequences that come with having such a large proportion of our population falling into this age group.In later life functional decline does occur. The extent to which it affects your ability to function independently is another question. Nonetheless, circumstances requiring the assistance of another becomes more common as we get older. For many – not all – vision and hearing decline in later life, as does balance and muscular strength. Along with that trend is the likelihood that one will require an outpatient medical procedure, medical testing or hospitalization.So let me ask you… Do you know who will be there for you? If you were fortunate to answer that question with a resounding "yes," realize that your answer today may not be the answer for you two to five years from now. As we age, we can outlive our siblings and friends. In some cases, even our children.Assuming there will be no re-emergence of the extended family, (remember "The Waltons") how can older people be certain others will be there to give a helping hand when needed? Help with simple activities like shopping, lifting things, getting to places at night for those who lose their night vision, getting home after an outpatient procedure, etc. This type of support is beyond what formal social service and public service programs are able to provide. Yet we will have more community members who will have these needs and no one to fill them.According to research studies on aging well, those who have plenty of caring, supportive, social relationships are the people who are living longer and enjoying a higher quality of life. So let me ask you this - how are you doing when it comes to making new friendships as you grow older?This summer Serving Our Seniors and a college intern provided by the Erie County Community Foundation will be doing a little social innovation/experimentation on this very issue. We will be looking for those in the Sandusky/Perkins area from a variety of age brackets, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89 and 90 and older, who are living independently and able to do their own self-care. We will select 20 to 30 to participate in an 8-10 week pilot project of expanding one's social circles in later life.To request a survey to be part of this pilot project call Serving Our Seniors at 419-624- 1856 or 800-564- 1856. Leave your name, telephone number and email address.