The Caring Corner®
Can Our Cities Handle the Aging Population?
Whether we realize it or not, our population is aging at a drastic rate and most of us are not prepared for it. by 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas. In 14 years, more than 1 billion people will be aged 65 or older which is about one in eight people. The McGraw Hill Financial Global Institute is working to address the problem by creating age-friendly cities.
There are four main ways to the Institute is working to help senior citizens. The first is building transportation and infrastructure systems that helps elderly to easily travel within the city for shopping, socializing or appointments. The second way to help seniors is by creating housing designed to allow them to age in place. This will provide freedom to stay comfortable in the home and not move to a facility. Next, community health centers need to be created within easy access to allow them to attain health care by using innovative technology and medical innovations. Lastly, there should be opportunities for them to keep working, learning and being active. Seniors have a vast knowledge of experience to share as well as to teach younger generations.
Many cities throughout the world are taking steps to improve the lives of seniors. Some of our bigger cities like New York and California are already taking steps to accommodate seniors by redesigning intersections to make them safer for pedestrians or offering free car services for people over 60. It is time to make our communities more senior-friendly with new ideas to help our aging population.
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