Positive Aging Community Project
Endorsed by both the Tallahassee City Commission and the Leon County Board of Commissioners in 2001, the Positive Aging Community for a Lifetime Project works to create an environment for seniors, caregivers and families that encourages independence and the opportunity to age in place - with dignity, security and purpose.
Accomplishments 2001-2008
- Received statewide achievement awards from the Department of Elder Affairs in 2007 and 2008.
- Created a means for boomers and seniors seeking employment or volunteer opportunities to successfully match their skills with prospective employers and work opportunities, in partnership with Workforce Plus and Volunteer Leon.
- Hosted Networking Expo with the Council of Neighborhoods Association (CONA)
- Resources and senior-relevant information printed in Active Living magazine in the Tallahassee Democrat.
- Senior Outreach program established in five rural communities.
- Senior Services satellite programming at Smith-Williams, Jake Gaither, Southwood and Palmer Munroe Community Centers.
- Inventories available for distribution on many topics of interest to seniors on Resource Cards.
- Caregiver services and respite care available in partnership with Alzheimer's Project, Inc.
- Networking Expos and Luncheons connecting senior services and professionals in specific areas of interest, i.e. faith leaders, caregivers, first responders.
- Broader variety of and increased number of partnerships, i.e. life long learning, recreation.
- Inventory of senior-friendly amenities available in faith-based organizations.
Tallahassee-Leon County Community Demographics and Trends
- Tallahassee was listed as one of six retirement "hotspots" by Consumer Reports Money Advisor by 2015.
- In Leon County, the number of people age 65 and older will increase from 19,891 in 2000 to 43,024 in 2025, representing a 116% increase. (University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research)
- According to the 2000 Census, 8.3% of Leon County's population was age 65 or older. By 2030, it is projected that 16.3 % of Leon County residents will be older than 65.
- 28% of people in T-LC are already seniors, baby boomers or caregivers (age 45 and older).
- Between 2005 and 2030, the overall population of Leon County may grow by 1.4 percent annually, while the population age 65 to 79 will grow by 6.5 percent a year. The population of those older than 80 will grow at a rate of 5.9 percent a year.
- 90% of T-LC seniors are well and independent with no mobility or self-care limitations, making the Senior Center and its satellite sites vital services in helping individuals stay well and connected to their community.
Creating a Community for a Lifetime
The Tallahassee-Leon County Positive Aging Community for a Lifetime project is committed to creating a community that values and benefits all residents, and offers individuals the opportunity to remain in their chosen community for a lifetime. In 2001, both the City of Tallahassee Commissioners and the Leon County Board of Commissioners resolved to support the Department of Elder Affairs Communities for a Lifetime initiative to make our community senior-friendly, thus a better place to live for all ages.
With both the City's and the County's commitment, senior services staff work with more than 70 other City and County staff, community experts, and volunteers to raise awareness of senior issues and to create an environment for seniors, caregivers and families that encourages independence and the opportunity to age in place - with dignity, security and purpose.
To meet the challenge of making our community senior-friendly and boomer-ready, the PAC team enlists the partnerships of area professionals in their fields of expertise and identifies ways to fill gaps of service to seniors. They must determine what can be accomplished with existing resources, what needs new and/or additional resources, what is short-term and what is long-term, and who can help.
Through the work that has been done, awareness of senior issues has been raised, especially to people and professionals beyond the aging network. But there is much more work to be accomplished. Making a community seniorfriendly enhances all other programs and services. Ultimately, the project should be positioned to play a major role in influencing government and business decisions in regard to issues which impact senior services and quality of life.
Some Goals and Objectives
- Educating seniors, caregivers and their families about available senior-friendly services and activities in the community, and making resources and services accessible to seniors throughout Leon County.
- Producing senior resource guides on essential and quality of life programs available in the community.
- Reporting to the City and County Commissions the gaps in services that create barriers to independence.
- Increasing awareness in City and County departments to consider senior-friendliness in future plans and retrofitting existing projects.
- Creating a means for boomers and seniors to successfully match their skills with prospective employers and work opportunities that are both paid and volunteer, in partnership with Workforce Plus and Volunteer Leon.
- Encouraging and educating faith-based organizations to help keep their senior members involved in their congregations.
- Training businesses to be more accessible and affordable to senior customers, and more available to older workers.
- Playing a major role in influencing government decisions in regard to senior issues in our community.
PAC Leadership Team
- Judith Barrett
- Ken Brummel-Smith, M.D.
- Jerry Conger
- Kim Corsmeier
- Susan Davis
- Bryan Desloge
- Louise Engle
- Cynthia Hughes Harris
- Cathy Jones
- Jacquelyn Lloyd, M.D.
- Rosalie Miller
- Kimberly Moore
- Sheila Salyer
- Hella Spellman
- Ann Westall
- Janice Wise