By Trena Winans, Director of Education & Community Outreach
From time to time, we come across articles focused on the importance of attracting a younger population to the area to counteract the trend towards a higher average age populace. Certainly, there are good reasons to work to attract a variety of age groups. At the same time, it is all too common to look at an aging population only through the lens of challenges. Let’s take a moment to instead consider that this shift also offers opportunities and benefits. Older adults bring wisdom, stability, and resources that strengthen and enrich society. Here are just a few ways an aging population contributes positively to our community.
- Mentorship, volunteering and knowledge: Older adults offer their experience as mentors to younger people. Knowledge accumulated over the course of their lives can be a valuable resource to younger colleagues, neighbors and family members. The transfer of wisdom strengthens intergenerational bonds and helps to ensure expertise is preserved. Additionally, older people volunteer more hours than younger populations. Nationwide, the financial impact of volunteering is in excess of one hundred billion dollars. People aged 65 and up average 96 hours of volunteerism annually.
- Economic contributions: Simply because a person retires, does not mean they no longer add to the economy. Older people support local businesses through their spending, and those over 55 now account for 45% of personal spending in the US. Increasing numbers of older individuals take on late-life careers, thus enhancing our job market.
- Civic engagement: Older adults are more likely than younger people to participate in civic activities, such as voting, volunteering, and involvement with community organizations. They help shape policies, support social initiatives, and address local challenges, fostering a spirit of giving.
- Family stability: Grandparents are critical in many families, offering childcare, support, and guidance. The assistance of grandparents allows many working parents to achieve a better work-life balance. Older people also help foster a sense of continuity within the community as keepers of traditions and local history.
- A model of healthy aging: Walk into any local gym or senior center and you will see large numbers of older adults embracing a healthy lifestyle. There is an opportunity for younger individuals to see them as role models for wellness and resilience. Midland benefits from programs for active seniors because they not only promote well-being but also create enriching social networks and create positive modeling of aging well.
- Innovations in housing and city design: The needs of our aging population should encourage the development of age and disability-friendly infrastructure. When we adopt universal design, the resulting housing stock, transportation systems, and public spaces, improve the quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.
- Midland: Together, Forward, Bold: Rather than viewing an aging population as a burden, Midland can embrace the opportunities this demographic presents. When we recognize and leverage the strengths of older adults, our community becomes more inclusive and resilient. Investing in programs and policies that support aging individuals not only benefits older adults but also creates a stronger, more interconnected society for all of us.
