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This month Washoe County released some alarming numbers - its senior population is predicted to grow by 264 percent over the next decade. County senior services officials also estimate that the "wheelhouse" for this growth will be in Incline - where the biggest sect of the populate is currently between 45 and 55.
Whether Incline will resemble a Del Webb community in five years is purely speculation, however, steps are being taken now to provide "healthy and active programs to keep seniors healthy here," the county's director of senior services Marietta Bobba said.
"The reason why we have people living to be 100 is because seniors are staying more active with their bodies and their minds," Bobba said. "Incline is a leader in the area providing access, activity and opportunity to these groups."
While Bobba said the county as a whole is "striving to maintain existing programs with ongoing fear the federal government will cut programs" she noted Incline recently received grant money from Washoe County to hire a full-time senior services program coordinator.
"Incline Village is all about healthy aging," Bobba said. "The (grant) money will be used to Incline Village General Improvement District can expand services too seniors."
Hal Paris, Incline Village General Improvment District director of parks and recreation, said he's expecting the new senior services programs coordinator to start by the first of the year with "plenty to do."
"(Their job will be) to take some programs we've started on our own to give that person a base and build on that," Paris said. "I can't speak to the rest of the county, in terms of growth of seniors but from the surveys we've done, these programs will be very successful.
"Seniors are clamoring at the bit for programs here."
Bobba noted while the seniors population is "supposed to surge" there are "questions that remain as well."
Bobba said federal funding cutbacks have already reduced the county's meal-delivery program to seniors this year.
"We went from one meal (delivered) per day to either one hot or one frozen meal every other day," Bobba said. "It's the rising cost of gas and food that (caused) the program's cutbacks. It's putting the program and people at risk."
In Incline, Bobba, while noting the senior population would continue to grow, also wondered if a lack of services would prohibit many in the 45-55 age range from settling here permanently after retirement.
"Will they age in place, or will they seek other services?," Bobba queried. "Seniors may relocate seeking a greater selection of gerentologists or physical therapists. Then again, you could see those businesses grow as well."
While officials said nobody has a "crystal ball" they did note the programs in place are working and "set to expand."
"Yeah, definitely, (the programs) are going great," said IVGID programs coordinator Kari Ferguson. "The (senior) conversation café is great. Pilates and fitness programs are really taking off."
Paris said "next steps" are already being discussed.
"With our new (senior) programs person the general conversation is going to go towards discussing (building) a senior center ,or expanded rec center for senior-dedicated rooms," Paris said. "We're going to see where this is going, but it is a focus - now and definitely in the years to come."
Whether Incline will resemble a Del Webb community in five years is purely speculation, however, steps are being taken now to provide "healthy and active programs to keep seniors healthy here," the county's director of senior services Marietta Bobba said.
"The reason why we have people living to be 100 is because seniors are staying more active with their bodies and their minds," Bobba said. "Incline is a leader in the area providing access, activity and opportunity to these groups."
While Bobba said the county as a whole is "striving to maintain existing programs with ongoing fear the federal government will cut programs" she noted Incline recently received grant money from Washoe County to hire a full-time senior services program coordinator.
"Incline Village is all about healthy aging," Bobba said. "The (grant) money will be used to Incline Village General Improvement District can expand services too seniors."
Hal Paris, Incline Village General Improvment District director of parks and recreation, said he's expecting the new senior services programs coordinator to start by the first of the year with "plenty to do."
"(Their job will be) to take some programs we've started on our own to give that person a base and build on that," Paris said. "I can't speak to the rest of the county, in terms of growth of seniors but from the surveys we've done, these programs will be very successful.
"Seniors are clamoring at the bit for programs here."
Bobba noted while the seniors population is "supposed to surge" there are "questions that remain as well."
Bobba said federal funding cutbacks have already reduced the county's meal-delivery program to seniors this year.
"We went from one meal (delivered) per day to either one hot or one frozen meal every other day," Bobba said. "It's the rising cost of gas and food that (caused) the program's cutbacks. It's putting the program and people at risk."
In Incline, Bobba, while noting the senior population would continue to grow, also wondered if a lack of services would prohibit many in the 45-55 age range from settling here permanently after retirement.
"Will they age in place, or will they seek other services?," Bobba queried. "Seniors may relocate seeking a greater selection of gerentologists or physical therapists. Then again, you could see those businesses grow as well."
While officials said nobody has a "crystal ball" they did note the programs in place are working and "set to expand."
"Yeah, definitely, (the programs) are going great," said IVGID programs coordinator Kari Ferguson. "The (senior) conversation café is great. Pilates and fitness programs are really taking off."
Paris said "next steps" are already being discussed.
"With our new (senior) programs person the general conversation is going to go towards discussing (building) a senior center ,or expanded rec center for senior-dedicated rooms," Paris said. "We're going to see where this is going, but it is a focus - now and definitely in the years to come."
