By the numbers
The number and percentage of those ages 62 and older:
Indiana - 1,041,714, or 16.1 percent.
Vigo County - 17,807, or 16.5 percent
Clay County - 4,937 or 18.4 percent
Sullivan County - 3,932 or 18.3 percent
Greene County - 6,530 or 19.7 percent
Vermillion County - 3,393, 20.9 percent
Parke County - 3,352 or 19.3 percent
U.S. Census Bureau
TERRE HAUTE — In 2010, Vigo County had 17,807 residents ages 62 and older, or about 16.5 percent of its population.
Those ages 80 and up represented 4.2 percent of the population, compared to 3.7 percent statewide.
“Our population is growing older in Vigo County,” although the growth is more pronounced in surrounding counties, said Carol Rogers, deputy director of the Indiana Business Research Center.
Over the past decade, she noted some slight declines in the 65 to 70 age group, “but you have had gains and a larger proportion of more elderly,” those 80 and older, she said.
The Area 7 Agency on Aging and Disabled is very aware of the upward trend in elderly citizens. “We see an increase in the numbers wanting information and service, and due to funding cutbacks, we have waiting lists that are growing and growing,” said Merv Nolot, executive director of West Central Indiana Economic Development District, which includes Area 7.
There is strong demand for its transportation services, information and referral programs and case management, which determines if people are eligible for government assistance. “The overall goal we have is to maintain clients in their own home,” Nolot said.
The agency has seen its federal funding decline about 30 percent in recent years.
He noted that in Vigo County, a lot of senior housing is being developed, including assisted living.
Many seniors want housing that allows them to remain independent, without the responsibilities of maintaining homes, cutting grass and related issues, he said.
According to Rogers, the higher proportion of the “very elderly,” those 80 and older, has significance in terms of health care and the availability of doctors, nursing homes and other services aimed at meeting their needs.
If they haven’t already, businesses and government should consider ways to meet the needs of that aging population, who provide stability to a community, she said.
Tom Steiger, sociology professor at Indiana State University, said that sometimes there is the notion of “inter-generational warfare,” which suggests that the elderly might not support such things as referendums for new schools that could raise taxes.
He believes that concept of “inter-generational warfare … is often overplayed.” Steiger contends that the elderly often have been parents, themselves, and understand the importance of new school facilities.
Some of the elderly will have the financial ability to retire elsewhere, and he agrees the community should work to provide the kinds of businesses and services they want and need, or “they will take their money elsewhere,” Steiger said.
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