KQED's Forum The Bay Area is Getting Older — Fast. Are We Ready?
Jul 16, 2025
Join Stacey Torres, a UCSF professor exploring urban aging, Shakira Simley, director of a prominent Black-serving nonprofit, and Diane Wong, who builds community resources for older adults. They discuss the rapid aging of the Bay Area, now the third oldest region in the U.S., and the urgent need for improved social infrastructure. Topics include the challenges of gentrification, the importance of intergenerational connections, and innovative solutions like accessible green spaces to foster community ties and support for the elderly.
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Bay Area Aging Fast
- The Bay Area is aging faster than most U.S. regions, now the third oldest after parts of Florida.
- Housing costs and demographic shifts like fewer children contribute significantly to this trend.
Invest in Aging Infrastructure
- Boost social infrastructure like public libraries, recreation centers, and coffee shops for aging populations.
- Prioritize medical infrastructure and accessible public transport to support elder independence in cities.
Inequality Shapes Aging Experience
- Aging is not homogeneous; economic and racial disparities shape drastically different elder experiences.
- Some are stuck in inaccessible housing, isolating them despite having lived there for decades.
