Although we may not be getting any younger, people, especially those living in Florida, are certainly growing older. The sunshine state’s fastest growing age group is C: 100 and older.

With approximately 4.7 million residents age 60 and older, Florida currently ranks first in the nation in the percentage of its citizens who are elders, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future (23% in 2010 growing to 35% in 2030). More than 1.7 million Floridians are age 75 and older.  Florida is also rich in generational and cultural diversity, especially among individuals age 55 and older.

Since Florida’s future is linked to the financial health and physical security of its elder population, Health Foundation of South Florida supports programs and services to help older adults. Our Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative, a five-year initiative launched in 2008, enabled more than 38,000 older adults to participate in evidence-based classes in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. Classes covered many areas, including falls prevention and managing chronic disease.

As a recipient of a $290, 000 Community AGEnda grant from Pfizer Foundation and Grantmakers In Aging (GIA), Health Foundation is striving to make Miami-Dade County “Age-Friendly,” meaning a great place to grow up and grow old. Along with support from AARP, United Way of Miami-Dade County, HSBC and more partners, this effort brings to life the theme of Older Americans Month, “Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.”

For information on how older adults can be safe and healthy with special programs, visit Health Foundation’s Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative website, www.healthyagingsf.org.