SALSA Initiative

The senior population in the San Antonio area is growing dramatically and vulnerable subgroups within it are falling through the cracks.

Currently, there are approximately 315,000 seniors (65 and older) across Bexar and surrounding counties. Two-thirds of this population lives in Bexar County. Bexar County is expecting dramatic growth in its senior population—almost doubling in size in the next 20 years, followed by similar growth rates through at least the year 2050.

Propelling this “silver tsunami” are not only aging local baby boomers with expanding life spans, but also the fact that San Antonio is becoming a desired retirement destination for veterans and others who enjoy its economic prosperity, low-cost of living, cultural amenities and warm climate.

Certain subgroups of seniors face particularly difficult hardships in aging while lacking access to needed resources. They include:

• Seniors in poverty, especially Hispanic, African-American and immigrant seniors, who are statistically more likely to have low incomes.
• Seniors age 85+, whose health and financial well being is most at peril.
• Veteran seniors, who have retired and make up a significant proportion of “Military City USA” and whose health and mental needs may be more complicated due to their service.
• Rural seniors, who are even more isolated and disconnected than their urban counterparts.

The following is a summary of the pressing needs of seniors in the San Antonio area that surfaced from the San Antonio Area Foundation's in-depth interviews and research.

1. The medical issues of seniors--including chronic diseases, nutritional deficiencies and falls--are much greater in incidence and more severe than the general population’s.
2. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems—especially depression, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.
3. Seniors need to get to medical appointments, stores and socials, but lack transportation to get there.
4. While desiring financial independence, many seniors fear and face economic insecurity; and with spiraling medical costs and inadequate insurances, they run out of money.
5. Seniors are targets and victims of elder abuse and fraud.
6. Seniors need companionship. Social isolation hurts, and can lead to depression and safety risks.
7. Seniors wish to “age in place,” but many lack adequate housing: low and fixed income seniors in particular struggle with mortgages/rents as well as home maintenance or needed modifications; and when not able to live at home, long-term care options can be cost-prohibitive.
8. Seniors have caregivers who suffer from burnout-- they are overworked, over-stressed, and make great sacrifices—and they need greater levels of support and respite.  

These needs are not unique to San Antonio—they are problems of many American older adults—yet we found many gaps locally in responding to them:

• We heard a dire need for more public awareness and education for seniors on how to prevent medical, mental and financial problems.
• While some direct services do exist, too many seniors are unaware that help is out there or they do not access them due to cost, long wait times, lack of transportation, or lack of motivation or mobility.
• In terms of isolation, there are also gaps in the provision of community engagement services and senior companionship programs as there are not enough volunteers.
• Finally, both the public and political will to bring affordable housing options to seniors are beginning to surface in San Antonio.

There are few organized efforts to draw attention to, to plan for, or to prepare for the impending stress on the systems of health and human services, housing and transportation due to the impending growth of the senior population in the San Antonio area. In almost every interview, we heard that there needs to be more system leadership, coordination and convening in this sector. Our research into philanthropic giving showed a significant funding gap as well: over the last decade, a small amount of funders have engaged in responsive grant making for senior welfare.