COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

October 19, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 30, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Scott Morrow, Health Officer, Health Department

Lisa Mancini, Director, Aging and Adult Services

Srija Srinivasan, Director, Health Policy and Planning

SUBJECT:

Presentation and Acceptance of Final Report and Model for the “Demographic and Service Need Projections for the Aging Population: 2020-2030” Study

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution accepting the final report and model for the “Demographic and Service Need Projections for the Aging Population: 2020-2030” study and supporting County departments in using the projection data as a basis for planning.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people—the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others—achieve a better quality of life.

This Resolution contributes to this commitment and goal by providing a projection model and local data that will better prepare County departments and community groups to plan for the future needs of a growing and changing older adult population.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2007-08
Estimated

FY 2008-09
Target

Number of professionals and general public receiving information and education on services provided by Aging and Adult Services

1,000

1,000

BACKGROUND:

In August 2006 your Board approved Resolution 068214, authorizing the San Mateo County Health Department to enter into an agreement with the Lewin Group to carry out a study that would project the health, housing, and transportation needs of the “baby boomer” population in San Mateo County for the years 2020 and 2030. Baby boomers are individuals born between 1946 and 1964, and are considered the largest generational cohort in recent history.

Over the past year, a steering committee worked closely with The Lewin Group to develop an interactive computer-based projection model that would provide socio-demographic and service need projections for baby boomers in the years 2020 and 2030. The steering committee included participation from the Health Department, Department of Housing, San Mateo Medical Center, SamTrans, Health Plan of San Mateo, and a representative from the Commission on Aging.

DISCUSSION:

The Health Department, as the lead County agency for the well-being of the older adult population, is committed to preparing itself for the needs of the growing and changing older adult population. A key goal of the Health Department is to enhance the quality of life and maximize the independence of older adults through a coordinated continuum of services.

The “Demographic and Service Need Projections for the Aging Population: 2020-2030” report and model will be instrumental in helping San Mateo County plan for future services by providing County-specific socio-demographic projections for the years 2020 and 2030. As the first model of its kind in the country, the projections and ability to understand the distribution of the older adult population by key factors, such as the level of frailty and income, will yield valuable insights for strategic planning, service delivery and policy decisions for the County and community.

The dissemination process will include specialized reports focused on communities within the County, as well as targeted presentations to key stakeholders. In addition, staff from the Health Department are currently working with Supervisor Tissier to plan for the “Livable Communities for Successful Aging” event, which is currently scheduled for February 29, 2008. The forum will serve as a formal, public opportunity for discussion of the model and its findings and facilitate the development of community recommendations and actions to promote more livable communities for older adults. Building upon knowledge learned from the targeted presentations and the February forum, recommendations to best prepare the County for its aging population will be developed for your Board to consider.

The Board Memo and Resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no Net County Cost associated with the acceptance of this report and model.