Allyson Johnson

Los Altos Aging? Not a Problem

The Mercury ran a feature story a short time ago about the aging of the Bay Area.  The article noted all sorts of issues associated with an aging population, including lack of economic growth, strain on medical resources, declining school population, shortage of labor, and declining property tax revenues as seniors age in place.

I take issue with the article’s negative spin. What about the advantages of a mature population? These include:

Lower crime rate

 The prime age cohort for crime is historically 18-29. With an older population, the crime rate plummets.  Los Altos is one of the safer communities around, judging by the brevityof the weekly reports of criminal activity in the Town Crier.

Community stability

With a population that ages in place, traditions can be built and maintained.   Long-time residents are accustomed to a Pet Parade in spring, a Homecoming Parade in the fall, and a Festival of Lights Parade on Thanksgiving weekend.  On a smaller scale, our block has held a Labor Day block party every year for decades, missing only a couple of years during the pandemic.  It’s the long-time residents who keep it going.

Local wisdom shared.

Want to know how to keep raccoons from ravaging your lawn? How to deal with gophers gorging on your vegetable sprouts? How to protect your fruit trees from foraging squirres? Ask your long-time resident neighbor.

Curious about why Los Altos High has a Tom Burt football field, a Leo Long track, and a Dude Angius gymnasium?  The oldest person on your block can tell you who these people were and why they are honored.

Active volunteer groups.

Here are just a few of the many volunteer groups largely made up of seniors which enhance our community:

*The Garden Club of Los Altos maintains the beautiful gardens around History House, while other senior volunteers serve as docents at the Museum.  

*The League of Women Voters holds voter education panels for every election.

*Greentown Los Altos educates and advocates for the environment, as well as planting trees and preserving local history through their popular senior-led Bike tours.

*The Los Altos Community Coalition disseminates information about local issues through Zoom meetings and panels.

*The Los Altos Stage Company has kept local drama alive and vibrant.

*The Friends of the Library supply extra copies of best-sellers, raises funds through their Book Sales, and supplement paid staff with many volunteer hours of book shelving.

Imagine what it would cost to replace these services on the open market.

Rather than bemoaning the potential costs of an aging population, let us instead appreciate the many benefits our older citizens provide.