Wake County Human Services, in partnership with Resources for Seniors, Inc., is seeking public comment on the county’s 2004-2008 plan on aging. The report, "Growing Older Living with Dignity," looks closely at health, personal care, safety, housing, transportation and economic self-sufficiency issues for older adults in Wake County. Members of the public are invited to review the plan and submit comments through Sept. 1, 2004.
Copies of the study are available at all Wake County Public Libraries, local churches and at senior centers throughout the county. The study also may be viewed at the Wake County Human Services Senior Services office, Room 3004, Human Services Center-Swinburne, 220 Swinburne St., Raleigh, or at Resources for Seniors, 1110 Navaho Drive, Raleigh.
Click here for a copy of the plan. Instructions on how to submit comments are included on this page along with an icon that provides access to the plan’s full text.
"As individuals live longer and with the aging of the baby boomer generation, a higher demand will be placed on many of our services and programs," said Bob Sorrels, Wake County Human Services Deputy Director. "This increase in demand makes it imperative that we plan properly to develop programs to help meet the needs of our aging population."
According to the plan, the Wake County Planning Office projects adults over the age of 65 will more than double, from 46,766 in 2000 to 116,674 by 2020. The number of Wake citizens over the age of 85 is also growing rapidly. Figures in the 2000 U.S. Census showed Wake County had 5,072 adults aged 85 and older; by 2020, it is estimated that 11,281 people over the age of 85 will be living in Wake County.
In early 2002, the Wake County Human Services (WCHS) Board established the Aging Services Committee to assess and plan for the growing needs of seniors. The committee included representatives along with consumer and nonprofit organizations. WCHS board member Dr. Barbara Ann Hughes served as committee chair.
Individuals may submit their written comments on the study by mail, fax or e-mail to Gail Holden, Director of Senior Services, Wake County Human Services, P.O. Box 46833, Raleigh, NC 27620, via fax at 212-7439 or e-mail gholden@co.wake.nc.us. Or, contact David Cottengim, President, Resources for Seniors, Inc., 1110 Navaho Drive, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27609, by fax at 872-9574 or e-mail davidc@rfsnc.org.
For more information, call Wake County Human Services at 212-7034 or Resources for Seniors, Inc., at 872-7933.