SOWEGA Council on Aging warns community members to brace themselves for ‘Silver Tsunami’
ALBANY, Ga. – The SOWEGA Council on Aging hosted a public hearing Tuesday to address the ‘Silver Tsunami’ that’s ripping through the entire nation. It’s not actually a weather phenomenon but a metaphor about the fact that by the year 2030, 1 in 5 people in America will be over 65.
Senior citizens and some other residents in 14 southwest Georgia counties weighed in today on how their community and agencies can better serve them in a society who’s population is rapidly growing grey.
SOWEGA Council on Aging’s Executive Director, Izzie Sadler says today’s discussion goes beyond just the city of Albany.
“As the area agency on aging, the SOWEGA Council on Aging looks at ways that we can address the influx of seniors. But also the Division of Aging Services, is looking out for the state of Georgia. So that’s why we like to have these public hearings, we can find solutions and we can work not only in our region but for the state to try and find solutions for seniors.
Tuesday’s congregation wasn’t so much about finding solutions just yet, but instead gathering input.
The 70 attendees were asked to answer a questionnaire that covered topics including transportation, assistive technology, and mental health issues. Sadler says using the questionnaire will allow the agency to receive a mixture of answers.
“This is a great way for people to anonymously mention issues that they may be having, gaps in services that they maybe see for themselves or for their loved ones and so I’m looking for a variety of responses.”
All 14 centers are participating in collecting feedback and from that, the agency will examine whether there’s any common thread across the responses.
Sadler says, “There’s a wide variety of reasons as to why people aren’t getting the services so this is just a way to identify what that is.”
Attendee Mary Williams says people aren’t using the services because they don’t know about them. And that responsibility lies with family members to help the seniors in their life.
“If no one tells seniors about the help, they won’t get it. A lot of people don’t know how to use technology to find information or where to go. Family members need to get up and help them”
Sadler says the council does their best in reaching out to every age group and appealing to all demographics because the problem is a community issue.
“As this silver tsunami comes in, it’s not only the responsibility of the aging network it’s the responsibility of the entire community to determine how we’re going to address issues and concerns.”
