Clackamas County presents four‑year area plan for older adults; survey finds majority struggling to meet basic needs

Clackamas County Social Services presented a draft four‑year Area Plan for older adults to the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 11, outlining service goals, a community needs assessment and an outreach and implementation strategy. Staff said the plan must be adopted by the board as a state requirement and is scheduled to return for final adoption in March 2025.

Brenda Durbin, social services division director, told commissioners the county is the designated Area Agency on Aging and that the plan is built from a needs assessment including 1,100 survey responses, focus groups and listening sessions. "We know that older adults are the fastest growing cohort in Clackamas County," Durbin said; staff cited demographic projections showing the 65‑and‑older share of the county population rising from 19% today toward roughly 25% by 2050.

Why it matters: County staff said the plan guides how state and federal funds will be used locally to support older adults’ independence, health and community participation.

Findings and priorities

Economic vulnerability: The plan uses the ALICE (asset‑limited, income‑constrained, employed) measure and reported that more than half of older adults in Clackamas County are struggling to meet basic needs such as housing, utilities and food. Staff told commissioners the ALICE measure captures regional cost differences and household expenses beyond the federal poverty level.

Top needs identified: Survey respondents and community input ranked home maintenance and repairs, transportation and socialization opportunities among the highest priorities. Staff emphasized the health risks of social isolation and described congregate meals, volunteer programs and evidence‑based health promotion activities as services that support social connection.

Existing programs: Durbin and Mary Rumbaugh, H3S director, summarized county programs and partners: the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, the family caregiver support program, Oregon Project Independence (in‑home care), SHIBA Medicare counseling, volunteer transportation and meal programs delivered in part through contracts with 10 senior centers and nonprofit partners. Staff said last year those programs provided more than 3,000 congregate or home‑delivered meals and helped more than 200 clients through in‑home services.

Public outreach and timeline: Staff said they convened a public meeting, conducted surveys that produced a record high response and held listening sessions; an online recording and a short public comment survey are available on the county social services website. Durbin said the board will be asked to adopt the final plan in March 2025 to meet the state requirement.

Resources and help: Staff gave the Aging and Disability Resource Connection phone number as (503) 650‑5622 and the Senior Loneliness Line (through Lines for Life) as (503) 200‑1633 to help residents find services or talk with trained volunteers.

Ending: Commissioners thanked Durbin — who announced her upcoming retirement after 26 years of service — and asked staff to return with the final plan for adoption on the March agenda.