May 6, 2010. The Department of Human Services has released a new publication Cape Cod Senior and Elder Residents in the 21st Century. The report is an analysis of the Cape’s demographics and data collected in the annual Monitoring the Human Condition study. The findings show there are 81,000 permanent year round residents of Barnstable County who are age 55 or older. According to Warren Smith, principal researcher and former data analyst with the Department, “Cape Cod faces the same challenges as does the entire nation in providing for the quality of life of our aging population – only sooner than the rest of the Country. Barnstable County has the oldest population in New England and our region is in the forefront of these aging-related challenges since we already have a disproportionately large percentage (36%) of our population age 55 and older.” According to U.S. Census statistics, one-half of all Cape residents are already age 47 or older.
The report highlights several findings significant to the health of the Cape Cod senior/elder population. Top household problems reported were anxiety and stress; depression; problems paying for prescription or getting dental insurance and medical care. Top barriers to getting care included services not accepting new patients; difficulty paying insurance deductibles/co-payments; inability to afford fees for services; services were located too far away; and the cost for time away from work. Health status, income and poverty; housing and transportation also play a significant role in the health of older Americans. The good news is that many older residents are active in civic engagement, volunteering, and community life.
Barnstable County Department of Human Services has conducted community-based research for the past 15 years and promotes the health and social well-being of County residents through regional efforts designed to improve coordination and efficiency of human services. To obtain a copy of the Full Report and the Senior/Elder Research Summary Of Findings, please contact the Department at 508-375-6628 or go to www.bchumanservices.net.
