Master Plan For Aging Community

Meeting the Needs of Washoe County’s Growing Senior Population

Washoe County is home to a growing population of older adults. As more residents reach the age of 60 and beyond, it’s essential that the County prepare for their unique needs. In 2010, there were approximately 76,000 residents over the age of 60; by 2020, that number is projected to be 100,000, and by 2030, 130,000. Recent estimates suggest these figures may be conservative, as the Census Bureau reported a 5% increase in the senior population between 2012 and 2013. AARP and the Census Bureau project Nevada will be the 3rd fastest aging state through 2050, behind only Alaska and Arizona.

This demographic shift affects everyone. Many residents have relatives, friends, and neighbors who are aging, including individuals without family support, living alone, or experiencing frailty or financial limitations. Caregivers also face increasing challenges in supporting seniors on a daily basis.

To address this, the Washoe County Board of Commissioners directed the Department of Senior Services to develop a plan to guide aging services. This roadmap draws on input from community partners, stakeholders, the Advisory Board, and County employees to improve the County’s ability to meet the needs of its senior population.

Values

The Master Plan is grounded in the following core values:

Be customer-service driven
Promote client independence and choice
Respect diversity and ensure equal access to programs and services
Involve people in decisions that affect them
Act with personal and professional integrity
Provide quality service, pursue excellence, and continuously advance innovation and improvements
Use public and private resources responsibly and efficiently
Promote partnerships and cooperative community advocacy

Guiding Principles

Washoe County’s approach to aging services follows these guiding principles:

Easy access to information and assistance
An accessible continuum of services that support independence
Inclusion of client choice, values, and preferences in decision-making
Commitment to inclusive services, prioritizing those most in need
Strong advocacy for clients
Citizen and consumer participation in planning and service delivery through community coalitions and partnerships

Key Resources & Tools

The Master Plan includes materials to guide planning and service delivery:

Draft Goals and Objectives highlighting the most critical priorities
The 2013 Random Sample Survey to understand community needs
Maps (based on 2012 Census data) showing senior population distribution, senior living complexes, and areas of greatest service demand. These maps include details such as the percentage of residents aged 65 and older, the number of seniors aged 85 and above, and estimated senior population percentages for 2020.

Research materials including UNR Survey Data Analysis and Research Summaries

Acknowledgements

Washoe County Senior Services thanks the more than 120 individuals, businesses, and agencies who contributed to the development of this Plan.

How to Get Involved

Community members are encouraged to participate by:

Helping improve services for seniors
Sharing feedback on programs and policies
Engaging in initiatives that enhance the well-being of older adults in Washoe County

The Big Idea in 4 Minutes

Coming of Age In Aging America – Understanding our growing senior population and planning together for a healthier, more inclusive community.