SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

SENIOR SERVICES, NEEDS BECOME LARGER COUNTY CONCERNS

The graying of the baby boomers will end up having a financial impact on Erie County government in the coming years. In 1950, only 8 percent of the total population nationally was age 65 and over. Today, those numbers have grown to 12 percent.

However, the Buffalo Niagara region already has a very high concentration of senior citizens compared to other regions of comparable size, and according to the last census, a first-ring suburb like Cheektowaga was aging even more quickly. One-quarter of those residents were age 60 or older.

As the chairman of Human Services Committee, which all senior and social services fall under, I am fully aware that as our population ages, there will be a greater demand for elderly related issues and services. Although the huge spike in the senior population won't hit us until another few years, it is good that we discuss these issues now. But even taking this risk into account, we still have some time, because the demand for services is not immediate. Typically, a senior citizen is more likely to run into health and financial concerns after his or her 75th birthday.

In Erie County, we are progressive and we stay on top of issues. For instance, not only do we have a committee process in which issues are brought to the table, but we also have a Cluster Review Committee which meets monthly to discuss how services are being delivered to all sections of our county. Very important issues like home health care, transportation, affordable housing, and assisted living are discussed and reviewed on a regional basis.

But one trend that is upsetting is the rate at which our population is decreasing; the loss of population means a loss of revenue. So, as the demand for senior services will increase in the coming years, more tax dollars will have to be spent on these services. And this may impact on the most vulnerable in our society, those people with disabilities, those with low income, and those who live alone, if we do not continue to pay attention.

We are fortunate in Erie County to have truly dedicated employees in our social and senior service departments. But we must be careful that we do not make our departments so lean that they will not be able to provide the needed services to our community.

Mind you, the helm of Erie County government will be under new leadership after the next election. It might be a good idea to see which candidate has a soft spot in his heart for those people age 60 and over before you cast your vote.

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