To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Matt Gohl, Special Projects Manager
Title
Update: Aging Population
Body
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Executive Summary
Staff, in February 2020, prepared information for Town Council regarding the projected increase in the senior population in Castle Rock. The report (ATTACHMENT A) included population projection estimates, available senior programs and recommendations for the future. At that time, staff recommended ongoing monitoring of impacts associated with the increasing senior population.
The following discussion is intended to provide a brief update on the recommendations from the previous report, additional senior program information and Town personnel implications associated with the aging population. No actions are requested as this report is provided for informational purposes only.
Discussion
In 2020, staff utilized the State demography data to estimate the current percentage of the senior population (defined as 65+) in Castle Rock and project the increase for 2030. Although specific Town data is not available, County information was used to estimate Castle Rock demographics. The previous report included projections that proportion of the senior population would grow from 12 percent of the total population to nearly 19 percent in 2030. As expected, the proportion of seniors has increased since the last report, with current demography data estimating that the senior population makes up 14 percent of the total population. Projections for 2030 remain consistent at 19 percent. Using Town population estimates at the end of 2021, this would equate to an increase of about 3,600 in the senior population. As the population grows, this number will also grow.
The previous report shown in Attachment A outlined various impacts to Town services plus services available to seniors through the Town and other sources. These resources and impacts remain consistent today, so in-depth discussion on those is not included here. Rather, for this report, staff provides an overview of how the increase in the senior population may impact turnover of the Town workforce, a follow-up of previous action items and new initiatives.
Using employee data from December 2021, staff identified the likely population of Town employees who would be likely to retire in the next decade. The analysis of full-time and 30+ employees showed that 20 percent of the Town’s workforce, or 109 individuals, will be likely to retire in the next ten years. While an average of about 11 people retiring per year is not alarming, it is important for Town departments to consider succession planning and work towards capturing the institutional knowledge that these individuals have. This information was shared with Department Heads in January 2022 for their awareness and consideration. Note that the estimate may be slightly higher than discussed here due to different retirement ages for public safety personnel versus the general population.
The February 2020 report included three recommendations/options for accommodating the future increase in the senior population. These are summarized below with status updates.
1. Develop a senior resource webpage on CR and utilize existing communication channels for senior information.
a. Senior resources are available on the Town website at <https://CRgov.com/seniors>. Senior recreation programs continue to be included in the Recreation Guide. Additionally, social media has been utilized as appropriate, including the launch of the Town’s R-U-OK program previously discussed (also on the Town’s website at <https://CRgov.com/RUOK>).
2. Expand educational opportunities and awareness of existing resources for seniors.
a. Although the COVID pandemic resulted in some cancelled programs initially, Town departments continue to offer educational opportunities to the senior population.
3. Potential partnership with DRCOG to begin the Boomer Bond Assessment to help determine needs associated with the senior population.
a. Staff has not pursued this assessment and does not recommend engaging DRCOG for the Boomer Bond Assessment at this time. Existing services offered by the Town, Douglas County and non-profit entities are working well and the Town is not seeing large increases in demands associated to the increasing senior population. Additionally, staff are engaged in a number of other Town priorities and engaging in this assessment would detract from those efforts.
New Initiatives
As mentioned previously, the Town’s Police Department has implemented the R-U-OK program helping seniors in the community. After an individual is enrolled, a police officer or volunteer with CRPD will make phone contact at a minimum of once per week to check on the participant’s welfare. At this time, there are 22 individuals enrolled in the R-U-OK program with seven volunteers supporting Castle Rock Police with this effort. Individuals interested in volunteering to help with this program can submit an application by going to <https://CRgov.com/RUOK>.
Additionally, in 2021, Town Council approved Castle Rock’s 2021 - 2025 Consolidated Plan as part of the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG). As part of this plan, staff identified two key priorities including ADA accessibility improvements and supportive services for Castle Rock seniors. Presumably, both of these priorities can benefit the senior population. Funding of $150,106 is available to support ADA projects plus an additional $34,640 specifically for senior programs. Although not yet finalized, staff is working towards using CDBG funding for ADA improvements at the Butterfield Park restroom and expansion of the senior meal program offered through the Castle Rock Senior Activity Center.
There are many senior services offered by other entities within Castle Rock. For example, snow shoveling assistance can be found through Aging Resources of Douglas County <https://www.agingresourcesdougco.org/> and the New Hope Presbyterian Church also has a Fix-it Ministry <https://newhopepres.org/mens-ministries/> to help seniors with home repairs. As identified in the February 2020 report (ATTACHMENT A), there are a number of other programs offers by the Town, County and numerous other entities in the area. Lastly, there are several opportunities for community members to volunteer to help seniors through Volunteer Connect Douglas County <https://volunteerconnectdc.org/>.
Next Steps
At this time, staff is monitoring House Bill 22-1035 <https://www.statebillinfo.com/bills/bills/22/2022a_1035_01.pdf> that has been introduced at the General Assembly - “Concerning Modernization of the ‘Older Coloradans’ Act.” Staff will continue to monitor any potential impacts related to this bill and inform Town Council as necessary. Text from the bill outlines its purpose and key updates as follows:
The bill updates the "Older Coloradans' Act" (act). The purpose of the act is to support older Coloradans through community planning, social services, health and well-being services, and strategies to prepare the state's infrastructure for an increasing older population of Coloradans. The bill updates include:
• Reorganizing the commission on the aging (commission) and increasing membership from 17 to 19 in order to coordinate and implement the strategic action plan on aging (plan) and to make recommendations;
• Appointing a state department of human services (state department) liaison to act as the primary contact for the commission in order to coordinate commission-related duties with the state department and other state agencies;
• Convening a technical advisory committee (committee) comprised of key state agency representatives to direct the implementations of the plan and the commission's recommendations; and
• Creating the lifelong Colorado initiative within the state department's state office on aging to coordinate strategies and implementation of the plan with the commission, committee, and key state agencies.
Given the number of senior resources available in the area, staff is not recommending additional programs or performing the DRCOG Boomer Bond assessment at this time. Actual needs and demands will be identified as the demographics shift and new programs/analysis can be considered as needs arise. Staff will continue to monitor the impacts and needs associated with the increasing senior population in Castle Rock and provide additional information/recommendations as needed.
Attachments
Attachment A: Castle Rock Aging Population Report (February 4, 2020)