Population of Baltimore County Expected to Be 25 Percent Older Adults by Next Year, Officials Say

The Baltimore County Department of Aging forecasts that one in four county residents will be a senior by 2020, reports the Baltimore Sun . "We could be more age-friendly," acknowledges department director Laura Riley. She notes the county lacks low-cost housing for older adults, and could benefit from more transportation options for those who might no longer have driver's licenses. Also of concern to county officials is social isolation, which can lead to poorer health outcomes for senior men and women. "Going out into public, and being faced with the awareness that 'I'm alone in the crowd' sort of encourages people to stay put," said Towson University's Mary Carter. Subsequently, people become more sedentary and their health can decline as a consequence. Baltimore County senior centers are helping cope with this problem via community events like No Senior Eats Alone day, but Riley said more work is needed. The Department of Aging's Dayna Brown admitted that more staff would help manage the projected senior boom.