CEO Comments On New Economic Realities for Nation's Seniors

On Friday, Jan. 14, a letter to the editor from CEO Teresa Barry was published in The Repository, the daily paper in Canton. We're posting it here because of the importance and relevance of the topic.

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Seniors will need all the help they can get in coming years

Recent figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau reveal a shocking economic reality for seniors in our country.

A new formula that takes into account out-of-pocket medical expenses indicates that one in six people age 65 and older—16 percent—are living in poverty. Even Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits can’t offset the devastating financial impact being felt by older Americans.

This is a major issue that is only going to become more serious in the years ahead. Record numbers of people are about to enter their retirement years as the Baby Boomer generation ages. The strain on entitlement programs and our health care system, already great, will continue to snowball.

We must not look away while our parents and grandparents struggle with the new economic realities. There are many resources available to assist older Americans, particularly those who are disabled or homebound.

As a community, we need to be aware of the issues facing our seniors, and ready to lend a hand wherever possible. We should also raise these issues with our state and federal representatives, to insist that they provide the means for older Americans to continue to live with dignity.

TERESA L. BARRY, MASSILLON
CEO, MEALS ON WHEELS
OF STARK & WAYNE COUNTIES

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The letter stirred interest in media circles; following its publication, Terri was invited on the "Golden Opportunities" television program in Cleveland to talk about the issues it addressed with host Armand Budish, who is also the minority leader in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Here's the WKYC-TV Story Featuring CEO Teresa Barry

WKYC-TV in Cleveland aired the report Wednesday night on the impact retiring baby boomers will have on government programs, social services and health care over the next 20 to 25 years.

Eric Mansfield spoke to CEO Teresa Barry, who is featured in the report. He also interviewed Dr. Harvey Sterns, psychology professor and director of the Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology at the University of Akron, who has been tracking trends with the baby boomer generation.

"Just feeding those new seniors who got hurt by the economy is a real challenge not going away," Mansfield said.

Click below to view the report. You can also access it at wkyc.com.

Guest Editorial by Our CEO Highlights Impact of Boomers on Health Care, Social Services

A guest column from Teresa Barry, CEO of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, appeared in today's Repository in Canton, Ohio, and highlighted the impact of the baby boomer generation on our nation's health care and social services systems as boomers begin to reach retirement age.

The article, headlined "Fallout From The Baby Boom," was the featured article on the front page of the "Your Voice" section of the paper.

The editorial begins, "Beginning in 2011, the tidal wave of Americans reaching retirement age will become a full-blown tsunami."

From there, Terri describes the impact of the aging of the baby boom generation on everything from health care to the increased demand for social services that is sure to follow.

"Without adequate funding, social service agencies will be forced to turn to the private sector for assistance, including corporations, foundations and philanthropic-minded individuals," she writes. "Either that or pass costs on to already struggling clients."

To read the entire editorial, click here.

Census Bureau Report: Number of Aging Boomers Will Jump by 2030

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the dependency ratio (the ratio of the number of people 65 and older to every 100 people of traditional working ages) is projected to climb from 22 in 2010 to 35 in 2030. This time period coincides with the time when a significant number of baby boomers will move into the 65-and-older age category.

“This rapid growth of the older population may present challenges in the next two decades,” said Victoria Velkoff, assistant chief for estimates and projections for the Census Bureau's Population Division, who is quoted in a new release from the bureau.

Health care for aging Americans is one of the chief concerns raised by this developing trend. Agencies like Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties are expected to play a more significant role in serving this growing part of the population.

"As the percentage of population above 65 increases, so will the need for health care and essential social services," said Teresa Barry, CEO of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties and chairman of the Meals On Wheels Association of America. "Meal delivery and nutrition programs like Meals On Wheels will be vital to the independence and quality of life enjoyed by those in their retirement years."

Click here to read the full release.