Seniors make up the large percentage of Florida’s population at about 25%. Mild winters, gorgeous scenery, and beautiful beaches draw seniors to the Panhandle for retirement. Our part of the state is less crowded and there is more natural land to explore and admire, making the Panhandle a target destination for many retirees.
While Northwest Florida is occupied by many seniors, the number of organizations and agencies to advocate for seniors is not sufficient. “Sure, seniors can find an occasional pick-up pickleball game or Bunko tournament, but the area is in desperate need of stronger supervisory agencies and organizations, greater oversight of senior care facilities, and establishing a level of care mandate, which are critical pieces of the equation,” says Peggy. “Additionally, more robust year-round senior education and programming would be welcomed and appreciated.”
Because many aging seniors lose the personal freedom of driving, transportation is an issue for seniors in the Panhandle. To travel in Northwest Florida essentially requires the use of a car because we do not have adequate public transportation options. As tourists continue to flood our beaches at peak times, even those seniors who do stil drive, find it difficult to navigate the gridlocked roads.
The cost of living in the Panhandle is becoming more of a problem for seniors on limited social security fueled budgets. There are fewer affordable housing options and care facility costs continue to rise. For independent living seniors, food affordability presents an issue with fewer low-cost, healthy options for shopping. In many cases, the convenience of a Target or Walmart is a 20-30 minute drive, and Costco can be up to 2 hours away for many Panhandle residents.
Health is a major issue for seniors. While most have adequate insurance coverage through Medicare or private insurance, many seniors seek healthcare providers outside of our area in order to receive the specialty care they require. Many seniors will maintain their “snowbird,” transitory status just to seek out better healthcare options in other parts of the country rather than making the Panhandle their permanent residence.
“Seniors have worked incredibly hard their whole lives, contributing to Medicare and Social Security programs that they are now able to enjoy in retirement. I will do everything I can to protect these programs and ensure that our seniors are taken care of in their golden years,” says Peggy.
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