Elderly Independence

Goal 3: Our elderly citizens will receive support to enable them to live as independently as possible in their homes and connected to their communities.

This goal reflects Spartanburg County’s commitment to providing appropriate assistance that supports our elderly citizens in their desire to remain in their homes connected to their communities. The goal emphasizes personal responsibilities and encourages independence but recognizes that some people’s circumstances require either temporary or ongoing assistance. As people age, their abilities to perform routine activities may decrease and many elderly citizens have physical conditions that make it difficult for them to live in their own homes. Great improvements in medicine, public health, science, and technology have enabled today’s citizens to live longer and healthier lives than was the case for previous generations. Older adults want to remain healthy and independent at home in their communities. Society wants to minimize the health care and economic costs associated with an increasing older population. These two goals are compatible if families and communities work together to ensure consistent and appropriate support.

Available data indicates that:
• Our elderly citizens are living longer with the greatest growth in those age 85 and above. While medical advances have helped make this possible, our social support structure in the public, private and nonprofit sectors have not kept pace with the demand.
• The number of elderly citizens living in poverty has decreased in part because of public sector commitment to this population group. Changes in family structure, cost of medical care, and greater numbers of elderly with complex illnesses all have an impact on the economics of aging. The service delivery system for this population may collapse under this increased demand.

3.1 Population Age 65 and Above
3.2 Elderly Citizens Living in Poverty 
3.3 Household Income
3.4 Services for Seniors: Emergency Room Visits