Oakland County senior advisory groups to discuss "Silver Tsunami"

At its annual meeting Monday, May 3, 2010, the Oakland County Senior Advisory Council will work with the Senior Planning Coalition for Oakland County to examine an array of issues pertaining to older adults in Oakland County.

The program will focus on Issues of Concern for 2010, an Oakland County Community Health Profile, and special recognition will be given to volunteers along with a volunteer recruitment effort for Oak 65.

Also, the Oakland County Senior Planning Coalition's final “Silver Tsunami” report will be released to the public, kicking off the next phase of the “Silver Tsunami” strategic plan implementation. The "Second Wave of Oak 65" will focus on the county’s growing senior citizen population and the county’s ongoing commitment to create an “Elder Friendly” environment. The report will look at the social, economic, and quality of life impact that this wave of older adults will present.

It is estimated that there will be more senior citizens in Oakland County than school age children in the next few years.

“It is vital that local government leaders remain in tune with the concerns of our seniors so we can model our senior programs,” stated Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

Oakland County Commissioner and Oakland County Senior Planning Coalition Chairperson Helaine Zack said, “While focusing on the future outlook of the growing needs of this population and quality of life, we want to make certain that we are laying a foundation to build a strong and flourishing senior community.”

United Way for Southeastern Michigan Manager Judy Muhn, commented, “As we assess needs, and look to devise programs and services which will have a social and economic impact, it is imperative that we involve the community in this process because we need input as well as volunteers to assist in the implementation the Oak 65 effort.”

Area Agency on Aging 1-B Director Jim McGuire shared the sentiment. “This meeting will give insight on the recommendations from the Silver Tsunami Report that the Senior Coalition for Oakland County believe would address some of the service needs of seniors.”

Membership of the Oakland County Senior Planning Coalition includes:
Area Agency on Aging 1-B
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Oakland County Senior Advisory Council
Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency
Catholic Social Services of Oakland County
Oakland County Health and Human Services Department
Oakland County Commissioners Shelley Goodman Taub, Marcia Gershenson and Bradford C. Jacobsen

In addition, representatives from the medical profession; a senior center, members from the business and non-profit community, local government and general public also serve as members.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the one hour program starting at 9:00 a.m., in the Executive Office, Building 41 West, in Conference Rooms A & B, located at 2100 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford. This event is sponsored by the Oakland County Senior Advisory Council, the Senior Coalition of Oakland County, and the Area Agency on Aging 1-B and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

For more information, contact Mary Strobe, at 248- 858-0213 and Oakland County Commissioner and Coalition Chair Helaine Zack at 248-546-7392.