By Ken Saitow, NCCOA Board Chair
Turning the page to the new year is traditionally when individuals and businesses reflect on the past year and plan for what’s to come. Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA) is no different.
This year, however, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we have the privilege of looking back over five decades of service to the citizens of Nassau County and, with history as our guide, begin planning for the next 50 years.
Of course, making specific plans for that time horizon is impractical – there are too many unknowns.
In 2021, NCCOA implemented a new strategic planning process focusing on a three-year planning horizon. This timeframe allows NCCOA leadership and the Board of Directors to look far enough into the future to make decisions that continue positioning the agency to deliver on our mission to help seniors age in place and live happy, healthy lives.
As the legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky once said, “Great hockey players skate to where the puck is going to be.” This new process enables NCCOA to do precisely that – anticipate the needs of our seniors and be ready to meet those needs when the time comes.
We are excited to launch the next strategic planning cycle in early 2024.
While there are many unknowns about the future, there are several trends that are sure to continue:
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- The senior population in the United States will grow significantly over the next decade. By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be older than 65. One in five Americans is expected to be of retirement age. We anticipate that the senior population of Nassau County will reflect this trend.
- Aging in place will continue to be a driving goal for seniors. Latest reports indicate that 92% of seniors prefer to age in place – we see this trend continuing.
- By 2030, the demand for home care services is projected to rise by 46%. This demand will be met by a combination of a growing caregiving workforce and unpaid caregivers (adult children and significant others).
- Food insecurity, social isolation and other issues will continue to impact the well-being of our seniors.
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The trends leave little doubt that the programs and services offered by NCCOA will continue to be in demand and meet a tremendous need in our community.
To secure NCCOA’s next 50 years, it is imperative that we:
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- Continue strengthening our infrastructure to sustain continued growth and deliver on our mission.
- Evolve our programs and services to meet the changing needs of our seniors and their desire to age in place.
- Follow the growth of the county and be present where seniors are.
- Continue to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.
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Of course, we would not be where we are today were it not for the support of our community. Over the last five decades, state, county and city leadership, along with local businesses and individual donors, have consistently and generously supported NCCOA’s mission. We look forward to building on this solid foundation of community partnership well into the future.
Over the last 50 years, NCCOA can tout a solid track record of evolving to meet the needs of our seniors. With the continued support of our community, and the dedication and commitment of the NCCOA team, we fully expect that to be the case over the next 50 years.