The Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging says a recent survey shows rising costs, eating well and staying in one’s home are top of mind for aging residents and their families and caregivers.
The regional agency announced the early findings of a recent community survey Monday and said finances and caregiver stress were among the biggest concerns. Almost 300 people reportedly responded to the survey, which the agency said was its biggest turnout ever.
The survey is part of the process to develop the agency’s 2027-2030 area plan on aging. The plans are developed every four years and are intended to guide local priorities for systems to support aging residents.
“Early survey findings reveal what’s likely familiar to many,” states the news release from the LMTAAA. “People are helping others while carrying real strain themselves.”
According to the results provided by the agency, 47% of respondents said having enough money to live on was the top issue facing older adults. About 37% who responded said they provide unpaid care for a family or community member, and a quarter of those people reported providing 40 or more hours of service.
About 17% said it was a challenge to eat nutritious food, and 51% said they were worried about being able to make repairs to their home that would allow them to keep living in it.
A draft of the agency’s 2027-2030 Area Plan will be available for public comment starting this week through the end of the month at LMTAAA.org. The agency will hold a public hearing on the plan at 2404 Heritage Court in Olympia on Thursday June 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. to hear feedback on the draft plan.
To access the meeting via a Zoom link, visit https://lmtaaa.org/area-plan.
The 2027-2030 Area Plan will be finalized in October of this year before being made public on the LMTAAA website.
