The lake draws some retirees to Davidson. A designation as a Certified Retirement Community would be a sort of "seal of approval" that the area is suitable for seniors. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

This is latest in a monthly series of articles prepared by Davidson Committee on Aging on topics of interest to seniors.

By CAROLYN COOK

In 2008, the N.C. General Assembly created a Certified Retirement Community Program to be administered by the state Department of Commerce. It’s a community development program for towns that want to attract retirees as an economic and community development strategy.

The program designates a town as having a quality of life that the older community desires. The potential benefits for making a town attractive to retirees is substantial: accumulated wealth brought into the area, developers attracted to build affordable housing and senior facilities, existing retirees remain in the community. Read the full story

The Aging in Place Task Force issued a final report in January 2008, and it was endorsed by the Davidson Town Board. Click to download (PDF).

By SAUNI WOOD

In 2007, Davidson formed the Aging in Place Task Force  assess present and future needs of our seniors. After a year, the group submitted its findings and recommendations to the Mayor and Town Board in January 2008 in the Aging in Place Task Force Final Report. Though unable to provide any financial assistance, the Town Board endorsed the report. (See DavidsonNews.net, Jan. 8, 2008, “Aging task force offers a wish list.”)

After the task force’s presentation, it became clear that the work needed to continue. The issues were too important to its current and future seniors. A committee was formed from interested members of the Task Force and continues today as The Davidson Committee on Aging, recognized by the Town of Davidson. One of the measurements of an effective community is its commitment to all. We are pleased that the Town of Davidson has always shown such a commitment and continues to recognize our efforts.

Read the full story

Jan Blodgett of Davidson offers the latest in a series of articles about issues facing seniors as they try to “age in place.” The series is presented in cooperation with the Davidson Committee on Aging.

By JAN BLODGETT

As a college town, Davidson’s population has always tended to have a younger slant. The census of 1850 showed 88 children under the age of eighteen
, 73 adults between the ages of 18 and 49
 and only 18 adults over age 50. Now, 160 years later, the 2010 census shows a similar breakdown, with 2,580 under the age of 17, 6,145 between 18 and 54, and 2,114 over the age of 55 (with only 941 over the age of 65).

Despite the relatively low numbers, senior citizens have been an important and integral part of the town. Retirement rarely meant ending their social and civic work. Read the full story

Joanne Ahern

By JOANNE AHERN
N. Mecklenburg Senior Center Director

We are very grateful to the River Church for housing us in Cornelius for the last four years. They got us started on our journey and helped us get our feet on the ground as we came together as a senior center. We will never forget our first location and the memories that were made there.

Our new home is the Solid Rock Christian Church, 16601 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. They have been very Read the full story

By NANCY WAITE-KAHN

Are you entering this holiday season with eager anticipation, feeling too busy or tired or even a little blue? As a senior, you have more holiday celebrations to remember, maybe more family members for whom to shop; more stories to share; and more cards to send. Changes in your life this year may also necessitate alternate ways of celebrating. A move to a new apartment or retirement community, the death of a spouse, events in your family (marriage, divorce or relocation) and even health and financial constraints are among the changes that may impact your feelings about the holidays and even your planning ( or not planning) for them. Read the full story

Fran Walshin

I am sorry to report that our “Young at Heart” columnist Fran Walshin passed away Tuesday at the age of 79. Fran had written for this page since March 2010, shortly after she approached me with a crazy idea: At age 77 she wanted to take up blogging.

Fran was an inspiration, full of energy and optimism. She was an advocate of tackling problems head-on, not avoiding them. And she wasn’t afraid to try new things. Read the full story