SENIORS: INDICATORS
What "numbers" can we use to measure progress toward our vision and goals? If you have suggestions, or would like to help us with indicators work, please email info@keysregion.org
Nationally, this website http://www.agingstats.gov/chartbook2004/default.htm provides information on "Older Americans: Key Indicators of Well-Being" and may be a resource for our local indicators work in the future.
OUR VISION
We envision a region where seniors, and those who care about them, are valued, respected, and supported.
Seniors are valued, respected, and supported:
#/% seniors living in poverty by town (A thought: if in raw numbers, include total # seniors in each town so someone could do percentage. A bar graph could be good – red column is # in poverty, blue column is total #, and have a set of columns for each town, and one for county, and one for state – 6 double columns on the graph.)
GOAL 1: Services: Older adults and their families will have access to an array of health, financial, educational, and social supports and opportunities. (address utilization of services vs access?)
Senior Supports and Opportunities are Available and Utilized:
# calls to 211, SMAA, and YCCAC requesting senior services
# & % of seniors receiving General Assistance, fuel assistance, tax abatement, home repair assistance, etc.
GOAL 2: Living at home: Older adults and their families will be supported in their efforts to continue to live productively and be cared for in their homes and communities
Seniors live productively:
# volunteer hours contributed by seniors:
Meals on Wheels: no data available at this time
RSVP (2004-05)
Kittery: 4 volunteers gave 389 hours
Eliot: 0
York: 9 volunteers gave 1,214 hours
S. Berwick: 0
# seniors in work force: in York County, with 75,479 seniors 65 and older (2000 Census), 2,186 were part of the workforce in 2005 (Maine Dept. of Labor, Quality Workforce Indicators, 3rd Q 2005)
Seniors are cared for in their homes and communities:
# Meals on Wheels by town by year
GOAL 3: Seniors caring for children: Older adults and other kinship caregivers who are raising minor children will have their needs recognized and met in the community
# older adults/kinship full-time caregivers in our towns (census data)
# supports for them
GOAL 4: Protection: Older adults will benefit from programs that protect their rights and prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
# calls to Adult Protective Services, 211, Caring Unlimited re seniors needing protection
# receiving services
KEYS demographics - 2000 Census
Population 65 years or older, by town, raw numbers:
Kittery: 1,448
Eliot: 721
York: 2187
South Berrwick: 561
York County (29 towns and cities): 25,429, representing 13.5% of the County population
With a comparison to some of our neighboring towns
indicators used in Vermont
In Vermont, it is a state goal that "Elders and People With Disabilities Live With Dignity and Independence
in Settings They Prefer." You can read the relevant chapter of their state data report for 2005 at the link below, where the sections listed are downloadable.
http://www.ahs.state.vt.us/publs/docs/05swb/05SWBtoc.htm
Elders and People With Disabilities Live With Dignity and Independence
in Settings They Prefer ................................................................................. 97
People with Disabilities.................................................................................. 98
Special education.......................................................................................... 99
Employment and poverty.............................................................................. 100
Institutionalization rates................................................................................ 102
Elderly Vermonters...................................................................................... 104
Poverty........................................................................................................106
Injuries........................................................................................................ 107
Older people with disabilities..........................................................................108
Physical activity............................................................................................109
Risk for depression....................................................................................... 110
Long-term care............................................................................................. 111
Endnotes......................................................................................................113
