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Executive Summary <br />New census data estimates the population of Indian River County in 2022 to be 168,131 <br />with 57% over age 50 and 34% over sixty-five. The average median age of residents is <br />fifty-four. While most residents (74.4%) are White, Black residents make up 9.5%. The <br />fastest growing minority is Hispanics (13.3%). Indian River County has a high <br />percentage of veterans (9%). <br />Older adults have long been a valued resource to Indian River County for their material <br />and volunteer contributions. With the increase in older residents and the aging of the <br />county, leaders have become even more aware of the need to ensure the community <br />grows in livability for elders, as well as residents of other ages. They envision Indian River <br />County as a community that offers healthy and engaging opportunities for residents to <br />live a healthy, full life. <br />Early in 2018, advocates and community leaders of Indian River County began review of <br />the World Health Organization's framework for becoming more age -friendly. Interest <br />increased when they realized that collaboration was the primary model for work in the <br />Age -Friendly Network. <br />The Senior Collaborative of Indian River County (SCIRC) was created for two purposes: <br />to bring together local organizations and individuals concerned about elders and develop <br />a resource for helping seniors understand the services and activities available to them in <br />the County. Now, the Senior Collaborative has 550 members, including seniors, nonprofit <br />agencies, businesses, government representatives, facilities, and physicians. SCIRC has <br />an online, interactive database of more than 550 services and providers (nonprofit and <br />for profit) in the County, as well as telephone assistance and referral. SCIRC advocates <br />for the needs, services, and protection of elders in Indian River County and collaborates <br />with members to identify and fill gaps in services. <br />In June 2019, the Indian River County Commission voted to apply for membership in the <br />Age -Friendly Network and designated the Senior Collaborative as lead agency for Livable <br />Indian River. When AARP Florida accepted Indian River County into the network, a group <br />of advocates and SCIRC representatives came together as a Core team. The Core Team <br />included members of twenty organizations representing older advocates, nonprofits, <br />businesses, and governmental organizations. The group developed a mission to guide <br />the Livable IRC's work: <br />To expand livability for all ages in IRC by promoting and advocating for a community <br />that is safe and secure, has affordable housing and transportation options, and offers <br />supportive community features and services that enhance the quality of life of residents. <br />The launch of Livable IRC was on 2/19/20. In March Covid lockdowns made community <br />input a challenge. Members disseminated the survey through a variety of methods, <br />however, when Treasure Coast Community Health Director offered to disseminate the <br />Livable Indian River Action Plan 3 <br />23 <br />