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Senior Hoosiers: Thriving Past 65

The poet Stanislaw Jerzy Lec said, “Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.” While aging is a lifelong process, the phase of a senior citizen is typically considered to begin between the ages of 55–65. In his book, “The Mature Mind,” Cohen suggests our older years are a unique time for reflection, creativity and self-actualization. Older adults are often painted as fragile. While it is true our health may decline as we age, it is only one aspect of who we are as human beings. There is also great strength that comes with age. Life experiences bring great insight that is beneficial to all of society.  

Over 16% of Indiana’s population is 65 years or older (U.S. Census, V2021) and is projected to reach 1.5 million by 2050 (InContext, 2018). In the United States, this population is expected to reach nearly 81 million by 2040 (CDC, 2022). Almost a quarter of older adults in the U.S. are members of BIPOC groups (CDC, 2022). Of all older adults between the ages 65–84, 35% live alone. In Indiana, this increases to 54% for those who are 85 years or older (State of Aging in Central Indiana, 2022). This is further complicated by the increased health risks experienced at this stage of life—such as chronic health conditions including dementias, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis and cancer—which can inflate living costs for seniors (CDC, 2022).

Furthermore, COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on older adults. Our older population has a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and exhibiting more extreme symptoms such as morbidity. Indiana has lost over 20,000 of its citizens who were 60 years or older to COVID-19 since 2020 (Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard, 2022). The effects of COVID-19 have gone beyond the illness, however. To protect our vulnerable population from the immediate threat, we had to encourage a certain degree of social and physical isolation. While isolation was necessary and done in good faith, this isolation has become the new normal for so many. This distance from loved ones and social activities also influenced the psychological and physical health of our seniors. Social isolation has been recognized as a public health issue due to it being associated with an increased risk of poor health outcomes including a potential for higher prevalence of dementia (CDC, 2020.) The National Institute of Mental Health found that 18% of suicide attempts are by older adults, and the primary cause is loneliness from isolation (National Council on Aging, 2022). One of the primary ways people can combat loneliness is to encourage social activities when able, including virtual options for classes and social interaction (Forbes, 2022).

One program in Indiana which celebrates the gifts of older adults to our community is the annual Golden Hoosier Awards. This event is organized in partnership with the FSSA Division of Aging and the office of the Indiana Lieutenant Governor. The award recognizes seniors who have contributed to their communities. Stay tuned for more information about this year’s Golden Hoosier Awards ceremony scheduled for September 26.

The Lifelong Arts Indiana program was recently started by the Indiana Arts Commission. The program strives to encourage creative outlets for older Hoosiers. Engaging in creative activities can reduce chronic health conditions, improve stress management and prevent falls (The Creativity and Aging Study, 2006). This grant-funded program matches artists with agencies across Indiana to establish creative learning programs in their communities.

Call to action

We encourage you to explore how the older adults in your community are already contributing to its growth and beauty. The links below may help you get started. While we face certain risks as seniors, we also have a great deal to offer. There is friendship, mentorship, learning, creativity and awareness to be gained as we age. It is a time of confidence and joy. Let us be a society that supports our seniors.

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