To promote and receive charitable donations for a separate non-tax supported, independently administered fund.  This fund will  augment programs and services implemented by the Office for the Aging by:

• Educating the community and potential donors about the coming “tidal wave” of older persons.
• Securing and investing private donations to help meet the needs created by this “tidal wave.”
• Promoting a long-term partnership of public, private and voluntary community resources, to position the county to better respond to the needs of its older citizenry.

The face of America is changing.  Increasingly we are becoming a nation of elders.  A dramatic event will occur in 2010 when 77 million baby boomers will “come of age” – a virtual tidal wave of older persons.

Consider these facts:
• From 1990 – 2000, the number of Steuben County citizens age 65+ grew by 3.7% compared to a 1% decrease for those under age 65.
• The fastest growing population cohort in the United States is those persons age 85 and over.  In Steuben County a 36% increase in this age group is projected by the year 2010, a 54% increase by the year 2015.
  
• The population aged 65+ is expected to double by the year 2030.

Projections include the following:
• Approximately 58% of those 85+ will need assistance with daily living.
• The number of people with Alzheimer’s Disease will double in the next 20 years, with 1 in 10 people over 65 and 50% of those over 85 being affected.
• Of those age 65 and older, as many as 40% will have nutrition related health problems.
• These and numerous other conditions will place an enormous strain on our health and long-term care service delivery system.
• We will be challenged to respond to the needs of three and possibly, four generations of older residents.