At 83, Karen Sechrist is bright, fiesty, witty, and independent. After the death of her husband, she is also facing new challenges like learning how to cook.
Helping her along the way is NEP Advisor Brenda Moster.
“Any time I tried to help, she would make me stop so that she could do it ON HER OWN,” Brenda shared. “She was ready!”
Empowering seniors is why we offer the Eat Smart, Live Strong program.
By 2025, the entire Baby Boomer generation will be over 60, creating a new public health dynamic. The numbers paint an interesting picture:
- According to the U.S. Census, the “population age of 65 and older grew from 2010 to 2020 at its fastest rate since 1880 to 1890 and reached 55.8 million, a 38.6% increase in just 10 years.” It remaining the fastest growing age group in the U.S.
- In Central Indiana, where Brenda serves, adults 55 and older are the fastest growing demographic, says a report by the Central Indiana Senior Fund, The Polis Center at IUPUI, IU Center for Aging Research, and IU Public Policy Institute’s Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy.
- By 2025, the Indiana State Plan on Aging for 2023-2026 says almost 19% of Hoosiers will be over 65. More than 75% of them want to stay in their homes and one of the goals of the state is to help them remain independent.
With seniors becoming Indiana’s fast growing demographic, more people like Karen want to learn more about health and nutrition so they can stay healthier long.