GRAYSHORE Forum Focuses on Aging Population October 12

SALISBURY, MD---Along with the rest of the nation, Delmarva is aging! What impact will this have on our region’s services, economy, and workforce? What do we need to do now to get ready for this demographic shift?  Campus and community members alike can learn more at “GRAYSHORE: What to Expect and How to Prepare for the Coming Senior Boom!” an on-campus forum 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, October 12, in the Worcester Room of the Commons at Salisbury University. Seats are limited and pre-registration is required. To register, call MAC Inc. at 410-742-0505 by Wednesday, October 6. An optional lunch and panel discussion with representatives of key state and local agencies follows. The lunch and panel discussion is 11:30-1:30 p.m. in the Caroline Room of the Commons. Admission to the lunch discussion is $5.  The statistics tell the story. One-third of Worcester County’s population will be over the age of 65 years old by the year 2030, and those over 85 make up the fastest growing segment of the Lower Shore population. “This senior boom will affect not only our health and social services infrastructure, but will also open up whole new markets – for senior housing, transportation services, leisure and recreation opportunities,” said Dr. Memo Diriker, director of the Business, Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) at SU. “Our labor force will be serving an older customer base, and more seniors themselves will be in the workforce. Are we ready for these challenges and opportunities?” The forum aims to educate area stakeholders on these issues, as well as spur continued discussion about the action steps necessary to prepare for an aging future.    GRAYSHORE is organized by BEACON, funded by MAC Inc., the regional agency on aging, and co-sponsored by the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland and the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. It includes a free presentation of key aging statistics and trends, including interactive breakout groups. BEACON is an outreach entity of SU’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, offering business, economic, and community development consulting and assistance services, while providing applied learning opportunities for students and faculty. For more information call 410-546-6001, e-mail beacon@salisbury.edu or visit the BEACON Web site at beacon.salisbury.edu.