Aging population brings opportunity and challenges for shore

The population of people age 50 and older is the fastest growing segment of the U.S., increasing almost three times as rapidly as the rest of the population.

The Eastern Shore is no exception to that trend. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland Department of Planning Projections, the percentage of Eastern Shore residents 65-years-old and older was 17.8 percent compared to 13.7 percent for the state of Maryland. It’s projected to grow by the year 2020 at 19.7 percent and 15.4 percent, respectively.

Dr. Memo Diriker, director and founder of the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network (“BEACON”) at Salisbury University, says 19.7% equates to about 150,000 people. He tells 47ABC Worcester, Talbot, and Kent counties hold the biggest populations of that figure.

He says with a growing number of older residents, also comes opportunity. One example includes more consumer spending; however, it could host a number of challenges.

At the 2016 GrayShore Summit on hosted Friday by the GrayShore Coalition and co-sponosred by BEACON and MAC Incorporated, groups broke out into four workshops targeting specific challenges connected to an aging population: healthcare, housing, economy and the workforce.

According to Diriker, the need for healthcare services is already here; however,  that’s just one part of the equation. The rest of the formula is training skilled people to fill those positions.

“If we do not have those skilled people to be able to deliver those services, I don’t care how many facilities we have in place, there’s just going to be empty buildings with walls around it,” he explains.

Peggy Bradford, executive director of MAC Incorporated, agrees. The non-profit agency of aging serves Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. She admits most healthcare resources are located in Salisbury.

“If I’m not feeling well and I live in let’s say in Somerset County, Deale Island…how far do I have to go to find a primary care provider? How do I get there if I don’t have transportation?” explains Bradford.

Diriker suggests investing in area institutions and schools, so that training matches the needs at hand.

“If we are graduating, you know, 15 individuals to be able to work in auto-manufacturing well, we don’t have an auto-manufacturing plant,” says Diriker. “So what we need to be doing is training those same 15 individuals to be physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc.”

Admittedly, he says more resources will require both time and money.

Representatives the coalition are expected to presenting their findings and suggestions to members of the Eastern Shore delegation in November.