Agenda - 05-08-2014 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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ATTACHMENT 3: Department on Aging Comments A. )t;_ 'o Orange County Department on Aging Janice Tyler, Director Robert and Pearl Seymour Center Central Orange Senior Center 2551 Homestead Road 103 Meadowland Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Tel: 919.968.2070 Tel. 919.245.2015 Fax: 919.968.2093 Fax: 919.732.2239 To: Orange County Board of County Commissioners From: Advisory Board on Aging Date: 04/04/2014 Subject: Support for Expansion of Rural Public Transportation Dear Commissioners, The Work Group for Outlining Public Transit Needs, made up of various Human Service related agencies including the Department on Aging, DSS, Library, Health, and Planning Departments, has shared their transportation priorities with one another to provide their input into the goals of the Central & Rural Bus Service Expansion Program. These goals will then be funded and implemented through the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (OCBRIP). Each agency has highlighted its unmet needs and provided recommendations for expanded public transportation services in rural and central Orange County. The Advisory Board on Aging fully supports this inter - departmental communication and collaboration, especially with its vital focus on expanding public transportation to meet public service needs in rural areas. The focuses of the Work Group's recommendations promote the County's goals of providing geographic equity and align with objectives within the Master Aging Plan. However, the Advisory Board would like to highlight underserved areas of concern that are not addressed in the proposed recommendations. There is currently only one recommendation that directly relates to older adults (Later Senior Center service), but there is a burgeoning rural older adult population. Growing Rural Older Adult Population The 60+ population is the fastest growing segment of the population in Orange County and is forecast to continue on this strong growth path. From the 2000 to 2010 census, there was a 54% increase in the 60+ population in Orange County. Not only is the older adult population growing, but a significant portion of this population lives in rural areas. As of 2010, approximately 57% of Orange County's adults age 65+ live in Chapel Hill Township, 12.5% in Hillsborough Township, and 30.5% in the remaining five other Townships. The rural population of Orange County approaches 50% of Orange County's total population when the underserved rural areas of Chapel Hill Township are considered. The burgeoning older adult population is increasingly in need of transportation service, and is especially vulnerable and isolated in rural An Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer E