How Baby Boomers Will Be Different
By 2030, one in five people will be considered an older adult. One DC-based nonprofit is figuring out how these Baby Boomers will want to age.
Iona Senior Services, led by Sally White since 2009, was launched 40 years ago to help older adults. Its long list of services includes daytime programs for people with Alzheimer’s and other chronic conditions, home-delivered meals and a lunchtime program with farmer’s market produce to take home, and consultations with social workers about aging family members. Iona provides direct services to 2,000 people a year and its help line gets 5,500 calls per year. Sally, whose worked at Iona 29 years, says 20,000 people benefit from its programs and information. The organization charges for some services, but most of its funding ($3.7M last year) comes from philanthropy, including individuals, foundation grants, the DC government, and third-party payers like Medicaid and Medicare.
Sally says Iona, welcoming to everyone, is preparing for the coming wave of aging Baby Boomers, a generation that will have different needs and interests than their parents. Many want or need to work longer than their parents. And Baby Boomers may be more willing to ask for help. One of Iona's new programs helps Baby Boomers plan for the future through classes on housing options, second careers, and meaningful volunteer work. So far the series has been a hit, she says.
Iona, receiving a $25k gift from Clark Construction Group last month, is also helping older adults who want to age at home. As more people choose to age in place, there's been an increase in requests for Iona’s services, including home visits, where an Iona social worker or nutritionist can help with issues like isolation, finances and healthy living.
