Highlighting the community’s senior citizens

Senior citizens in the local community are active and vital. Today, people in their 50s, 60s and beyond often are not slowing down, but instead taking on new opportunities to learn, explore and grow. In the Camas-Washougal community, our senior citizens are running marathons, actively volunteering, opening new businesses, caring for their grandchildren, and making efforts to be lifelong learners.

Some interesting facts to consider.

o According to the 2010 U.S. census, the senior age group is the largest in terms of size and percent of the population in the U.S.

o Between 2000 and 2010, the population 65 years and over increased at a faster rate (15.1 percent) than the total U.S. population (9.7 percent).

o According to AARP, by 2015, those aged 50 and older will represent 45 percent of the U.S. population.

o Baby Boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) make up 35 percent of the American adult population.

o In 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to be 88.5 million, more than double its projected population of 40.2 million in 2010.

With these statistics in mind, on May 20, the Post-Record will highlight these special, integral and vital members of the community when it publishes the first of two Senior Focus issues.

Inside, readers will find a variety of information about topics from senior citizens involved in activities ranging to athletic pursuits to learning to be more technology savvy.

It will offer an inside look into the issues and interests of this important segment of the community.