Building an Age-Friendly Community:
The Pelham NH Council on Aging (COA), incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2012, educates the community about issues affecting older adults, provides outreach and assists in enriching the lives of older adults. The COA is committed to ensuring that no older adult, living in Pelham NH or the surrounding communities, is left isolated and/or lonely. To that end, the COA raises funds, solicits and trains volunteers, and provides support and services, that benefit older adults. The COA’s focus is on creating a more just, inclusive, age-friendly community and in influencing other organizations to do the same. Together we can create a community that is better for all of us along life’s journey!
Creating an Age-Friendly Community by Reframing Aging:
Why talk about aging? The U.S. population is living longer. This is not a onetime event. We are a changing society. This has implications for economic policy. We don’t die in the middle of our working years anymore.
The oldest states in the country are located in Northern New England and include Maine, NH and Vermont. New Hampshire has the second oldest average population in the nation, due to both an aging population (one that is living longer) and low birth rates. Pelham’s growth rate from 2010-2020 of 10.27% exceeded the regions’ overall growth rate of 5.72%. There are 60% more Pelham residents aged 60 or older, than children enrolled in the school district.
Pelham’s Aging Population:
The population of Pelham residents aged 60+ is projected to increase by 888 people from 2020-2030, a 31% increase in older adults in our community. The population of people aged 80-84 will increase 92%, while the population of people 85+ will increase 101%. The projected increase of 568 residents 80+ will have significant impact on the need for programs and services for older adults living in Pelham.
What does aging mean for our society? Although we all age, and although people on average are living longer and healthier lives, our society hasn’t yet figured out how to make the most of this change. Our current employment practices, public transportation systems and housing policies are not well- suited to today’s reality – in fact, they make it hard for us to stay involved and contribute, when we get older.
Moving Toward an Age Friendly World:
The Pelham COA strives to amend systematic patterns of disadvantage and marginalization of older adults, so that all have the opportunity to thrive, while growing older. Our goal is to increase public support for policies and practices that can be advanced to support a robust, healthy, age-integrated society. The Pelham COA aims to leverage the talents and energy of older people in New Hampshire to create a better future. Moving toward an Age Friendly World – is good for all of us!