According to a report in 2023 from the North Carolina State Demographer’s Office, nearly 3 out of every 10 individuals in Chatham County are ages 65 and up – which puts it as eighth among the state’s 100 counties in terms of aging rate.
While parts of the county have gotten attention for the significant growth happening now and that’s projected over the next ten years, the local government does not want to wait to address the needs of both its current senior population and those who will join that demographic in a few decades.
“One of the things that we have learned over the course of the past few years being commissioners is that Chatham is aging fairly rapidly,” says Chair of the Chatham County Commissioners Karen Howard. “It is currently a good place to live as you age, but we want to make sure it stays that way – and that future generations of Chatham County residents can stay in their homes, can access the amenities of the community, are approximate to transportation, and that communities are supporting both ends of the life spectrums.”
To help, Chatham County launched a new effort earlier this month to create strategies for better addressing the needs of elderly residents and their caregivers, with the goal of preparing the area for people to age in place long-term. Called the Community Aging Plan, the project is being led by the Aging Services Department and county staff.
What’s in the plan? Nothing specific yet – because Chatham launched a survey with the announcement of the initiative to hear directly from county residents on what their priorities are and what strengths or weaknesses they can already identify. Open through the end of February, the survey offers residents the chance to share experiences and ideas to help shape the direction Chatham County staff could go with its framework.
“The community’s input is going to help guide some of that [plan],” Howard says. “What is it that people feel is lacking in their part of the community? What is it that individuals would like to see to ensure that they can continue to be productive members of the community and participate?”
Both English and Spanish versions of the survey are available online, over the phone, and on paper at Chatham’s public libraries and county-run Centers for Active Living in Pittsboro and Siler City. The local government said in its launch that additional in-person opportunities for public engagement will be announced in the new year, and the public will be kept informed on the plan’s development as it gets more and more formed.
Howard said she feels confident the staff’s plans for community engagement will help send Chatham County in the right direction for identifying the best strategies to provide high-quality, accessible living for generations of residents.
“I think we’ll get some good input,” she said. “We have done this sort of a strategic plan before where we’ve reached into the community for some input, and we’ve gotten really good feedback. It’s helped us move issues forward and create plans that really reflect what a community needs.
“So, I’m looking forward to it – I think this will be a really good thing for Chatham,” Howard concluded.
To fill out the survey online, go to the Community Aging Plan page of Chatham County’s public engagement website. To respond to the survey over the phone, call 855-925-2801 and say the project code is “10861.”
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