CALL TO ACTION ISSUE
By Dianna Pandak
Executive Director
Executive Director
Yes, Shelby Senior Services, Inc. does receive funding from SCUFFY, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Shelby County and the City of Shelbyville and funds to operate Public Transportation. All of that together amounts to 51% of this not-for-profit agency’s revenue.
The remaining 49% comes from YOU!!
Does that surprise you? Are YOU helping?
According to the U.S. Census data and figures compiled by the Shelby County Health Department:
According to the U.S. Census data and figures compiled by the Shelby County Health Department:
There were 6,188 people 65 and older in Shelby County in 2010
There were 2,535 people 60-64 yrs in 2010helby County in 2010
The projected number of people 65+ for the year 2015 is 8,723
The estimated number of deaths in the same age group for 2015 is 1,500
That leaves a PROJECTED SENIOR POPULATION (ages 65+) to be 7,223
THIS IS A 15-20% increase in just a few years
The same projections for the year 2020 indicate a 40-45% increase to the SENIOR population in Shelby CountyWhat does this mean to Shelby Senior Services?
We have been very fortunate that the agency’s Board of Directors has been planning for the Boomer surge for quite some time, trying to stay ahead of the needs of this “Silver Tsunami”, as the media has dubbed it.
What are the challenges?
The challenges faced by this not-for-profit agency include:
Knowing that the fastest growing age group among the older population in the 2010 census is: 85 – 94, increasing from 3.9 million to 5.1 million!
• Focusing our attention on both the vulnerable and vital seniors and their families by addressing their transportation, economic, employment, recreational/socialization, information and referral, caregiver support and health and wellness needs.
• Older persons who live alone are more likely than those living with spouses to be in poverty.
– Nationally 25% of the seniors on Social Security are actually below the income poverty level, and 50% are unemployed looking for work to try to “get by”.
– Nationally, 37% of our CURRENT seniors are facing economic insecurity
– Nationally, 28% of the total home foreclosures are from the 60+ age
BUT at the same time, we must also focus attention on middle income seniors who rely on transportation, benefits information, health and wellness programs, and socialization to maintain their vitality!
- Shelby Senior Services had 5,417 ( yes in ONE year!) client contacts for Information and Assistance last fiscal year so by 2015 with the 17% increase in our service population we would have 6,338 and by 2020 with the 42% increase in our service population we would have 7,692 of those contacts! • Last year, Shelby Senior Services provided 1,886 units of care to 93 caregivers via the Family Caregiver Support Program. With the 17% increase by 2015 that would grow to 2207 units to 109 families and by 2020 we would be providing 2678 units to 132 caregivers. • Last year there were 1,648 participants for classes, events and trips at the Horizon Center. Assuming NOTHING new was added (unheard of around the Horizon Center!) Now think about the 17% increase by 2015 – at a minimum there would be 2,015! And by 2020 – there would be 2,340! • Last year 424 people received 4,782 units of Health Prevention and Wellness programs! (That’s Tai Chi, yoga, Zumba Gold, Movin’ Along chair exercise, nutrition programming + weekly blood pressure checks and chronic disease support group) By 2015 that would grow to 496 people and by 2020 it would be 602! • Transportation – ShelbyGo grows from 18, 880 trips last year to 22,090 to 26,810 by 2020 and that’s if we were able to expand hours at all.
We ask for your commitment to help keep YOUR HORIZON CENTER going and growing for our growing Shelby County senior population! If we are to continue to provide the current programs and the future programs that are needed to meet that lengthy list of challenges. We know we need a Benefits Center and expansion of advocacy services – all of the current challenges our seniors and their families face will be multiplied with the changing demographics of our county.
We need:
• The community to provide meaningful opportunities for older adults – a lot of Boomers will be retiring! Many will remain physically and socially active through their 80’s and beyond. Let’s include them in community life! Think of the opportunities that affords our county! But, we must get beyond any “ageist” attitudes.
• Volunteers – Volunteers – Volunteers!
• Tell Congress that you support strengthening the Older Americans Act! The Older Americans Act is a key vehicle for helping seniors stay healthy and age in place – all this saves tax payers $$$ because nursing homes are costly to us all.
• And speaking of $$$ - yes, it takes that to keep our doors open.
Yes, we do receive funding from SCUFFY, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Shelby County and City of Shelbyville and for our Public Transportation. All that together amounts to 51% of our revenue. The remaining 49% comes from YOU!!! Does that surprise you? Are YOU helping???
You say we are always asking for money. I make no apology for that. We are doing good and prudent work for our county’s seniors and their families. Our largest expense is employee wages and benefits and payroll taxes. Again, I make no apologies for that. The staff is very dedicated, each works above and beyond the job description, and none makes a market competitive wage. Be clear – none of the staff is complaining: it is a choice we have made. We give because it’s a cause we believe in.
Many community County Senior agencies do not offer the services that you take for granted in our own Shelby County. We ask for your ongoing support – how?
1. Become or remain a member! It’s easy and it’s fun and pays for itself in discounts.
2. Pledge to our upcoming Annual Campaign – Annual is the key word – yes, we will appeal annually.
3. Remember us in your will, estate planning, funeral planning – designate Shelby Senior Services as your memorial. We have information to help you if you want to remember us.
4. IF you are a senior and ride the vans, take part in classes that are available to you on a donation basis – pitch in! Donate if you can! If you can’t – that’s OK. That’s
what our fundraising is for!!! 5. We have a beautiful donor recognition wall that you can designate funds for planets and even the sun! 6. Sponsor one of our fundraisers!
Attend our fundraisers!
8. Dream up a new fundraiser!
Be a part of our ACTION TEAM – we need you! Thank you so much for your help, support, and caring for our seniors!
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