MANSFIELD — Richland County is getting older, and presumably grayer, according to data from the 2020 Census.
At the turn of the century, the average age of Richland County residents was 37.7 years old. It’s now 41.7.
The last census found that one in five Richland County residents were age 65 or older in 2020. That’s an increase of almost six percent since 2000.
These changes mirror trends at the state and national level — but Richland County is still older than average.
Between 2010 and 2020, the national population of adults 65 and older saw the largest and fastest growth in any decade since 1880 to 1890, the 2020 Census found. That rapid growth was largely driven by the members of the baby boomer generation, who began turning 65 in 2011.
At the national level, the older population reached 55.8 million — 16.8 percent of the U.S. population — in 2020.
Over the last 20 years, the percentage of Ohioans 65 and older went from 13.3 percent to 18 percent.
Local experts as well as the U.S. Census Bureau predict the older adult population will continue to rise until 2030 — when the last of the baby boomers turn 65.
“Regional Planning has noted the trends in demographics,” said Jotika Shetty, executive director for the Richland County Regional Planning Coalition.
“This will have a wide-ranging impact on the programs and resources that will be needed to ensure that residents will continue to have a good quality of life.”
So how is Richland County preparing for this growth?
Area Agency on Aging offers activities, social gatherings
Duana Patton, CEO of the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, said the agency has been working with other industries, leaders and community stakeholders to address the needs of older adults and their caregivers.
The agency serves as an information and resource hub for older adults, adults with disabilities and their caretakers.
Patton said one focus of the organization’s work has been expanding programs that offer health and wellness activities for older adults.
Addressing social isolation and mental health has also been a focus of the agency’s work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency has partnered with other organizations in the community to offer safety seminars, cooking classes and exercise programs for seniors.
“Combating loneliness and addressing mental health concerns among seniors is crucial for their overall well-being,” Patton said.
“Through the Richland County Senior Services Levy, AAA5 was able to distribute grants to organizations in 2022 and in 2023 to encompass a wide range of activities to help combat loneliness and address mental health concerns.”
Senior housing remains a pressing need
Nevertheless, Patton said there are still crucial needs for the community to address, like housing. The recent Richland County Housing Study documented the need for more housing across all income levels, but listed housing for seniors as one of the area’s most pressing needs.
“The Area Agency has seen an increase in the number of individuals contacting us looking for housing,” Patton said.
“Some are wanting to relocate here to be closer to family; some wanting to downsize their residence, some because they cannot afford to maintain their home or can’t live safely in the place they have called home for many years.”
Shetty said the authors of the Richland County housing study recommended building new housing developments where older residents can live safely and independently.
“These models include condos and duplexes that lower maintenance burdens, have smaller footprints and can be designed with age-friendly universal design features,” Shetty said.
Shetty pointed out that some such developments are already underway, including the AAA5’s Ritters Run project and a proposed assisted living complex on Cline Avenue.
Ritter’s Run, a 12-unit affordable senior housing complex, is slated to open this year.
Reexamining area zoning codes could also pave the way for more senior-friendly housing.
“Allowing accessory dwelling units and smaller lot sizes can also be useful to allow them to age in place,” Shetty said.
But building senior-friendly communities will require more than just housing. Shetty said transportation options, pedestrian-friendly streets, well-maintained sidewalks and walkable communities all benefit older adults.
“Rethinking our land-use patterns should be a priority,” Shetty said. “Higher-density areas closely linking residential neighborhoods with commercial, medical and social establishments allow older adult populations to continue to lead independent lifestyles.
“This was the default pattern of our cities in the past. Unfortunately, our modern land patterns need long commutes often inaccessible without auto use.”
Support needed for the ‘sandwich generation’
Patton said another prominent need is support for caregivers. Unpaid caregivers like family members, friends and neighbors provide support to older adults, they need help too.
Pew Research Center estimates more than half of Americans in their 40s are part of the “sandwich generation” — adults who have both minor children and parents 65 or older.
Despite being unpaid, this work has tremendous value. The Family Caregiver Alliance estimates it would cost approximately $306 billion a year to pay for this work — nearly double the nation’s annual cost of home health care and nursing home care. Some estimates are even higher.
According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, 61 percent of family caregivers work either full or part time. And caregiving can take a toll on their careers.
“Working caregivers face financial risks such as lost income, reduced career opportunities and savings, and subsequently lower Social Security and retirement benefits,” Patton said.
Meanwhile, AARP found that almost eight in 10 caregivers reported having out-of-pocket expenses related to caregiving, with an average amount of $7,242 per year.
Caregiving is also associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression. One in 10 caregivers report a decline in physical health as a result of caregiving.
“The Area Agency has programs to support caregivers,” Patton said. “When we work proactively with families and businesses impacted by caregiving, we can help reduce burnout and stress that comes with caregiving.”
Increasing health care infrastructure
Kim Winkle, vice president of operations for Avita Health System, said healthcare needs will increase as the population ages and life expectancy continues to climb.
“Add to that the shortage of primary care physicians which we have been hearing about for years, it is getting harder and harder to find a primary care provider,” she said.
Winkle said Avita has been working to bring more primary and specialty care providers to the area.
“Over the past 10 years, Avita went from 14 employed providers to over 200 employed and contracted providers and we continue to recruit,” she said.
“We have added so many specialists at Avita over the last decade so that if a patient needs specialty care, they do not have to leave the area to get the care they need.
Avita isn’t the only medical provider making preparations.
“The aging of counties in the state of Ohio and within the country is such an important factor for us,” said Curt Gingrich, president of OhioHealth’s Mansfield and Shelby hospitals.
“So much so, it’s one of the many data points we incorporate into our strategic planning.”
Ryan Kamp, vice president of clinical affairs, said shifts in the county’s age profile will create an even greater need for certain types of practitioners.
Services focusing on primary care, chronic disease management and increased hospital needs like heart and vascular, medical oncology, neurology will continue to grow,” he said.
“We also recognize that our role for an aging population isn’t just acute hospital care. We have put a major focus into wellness for our community members. There is nothing better for keeping someone out of the hospital than getting the routine check-up and screening.”