GULFPORT, Fla. — According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, all baby boomers will be older than 65, and for the first time in history the senior population will outnumber youth aged 18 years and younger.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the senior (65+) population is projected to outnumber youth aged 18 years and younger for the first time in U.S. history by 2030

  • The Gulfport Senior Center was built 40 years ago and administrators say they have outgrown that space. Plans are in the works to renovate and expand the facility to meet the needs of the growing Senior population

  • Supervisor Rachel Cataldo says the center is a lifeline for Seniors who are being affected by high inflation while on a fixed income

  • The new center will have office space for social services that are lacking on the south side of Pinellas County

To get ahead of that trend and accommodate aging residents, the Gulfport Senior Center plans to renovate and expand its facility.

Rai Veerman, 77, moved to Gulfport to be near her children and grandchildren.

“When my husband passed away, I lived in a condominium in Virginia," she said. "I was very lonesome. I couldn’t live there because I was married for 56 years."

She says she has found a second family at the Gulfport Senior Center where she can socialize and stay active.

“We can come and mingle and make friends,” Veerman said.

She’s happy that her circle of friends may grow with the expansion and development of a new Senior center.

“C’mon, that is good stuff,” she said.

Gulfport residents are provided transportation to and from the center to enjoy live music, arts and crafts and skills based classes.

“We are seeing 870 people a day in this very small space,” said Gulfport Senior Center Supervisor Rachel Cataldo.

The center was built 40 years ago, and Cataldo says they have outgrown that space.

Cataldo says a new facility is needed to accommodate the senior population that is expected to triple by 2060, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

A Study completed by the American Healthcare Association revealed staffing and senior bed shortages have become critical issues at nursing homes.

Cataldo says she believes that Senior Centers can fill that gap.

“The more people are able to be independent and do what they want to do and live how they want to live, the longer they are able to remain in their home whether it’s with family or by themselves,” she said. “We also provide services where people can remain at home because we also have assisted devices. We have a durable medical equipment lending program. So, if someone falls and they now need a walker; we now have a walker that we can loan them.”

She says the center is a lifeline for seniors who are being affected by high inflation while living on a fixed income.

The Senior Center lowered its requirements to give more seniors access to their fresh market and food pantry.

“I don’t think our communities are prepared for this population,” said Cataldo, who added that not only has the number of seniors changed, their needs have also changed.

She says the new center will have office space for social services that are lacking on the south side of Pinellas County.

These are critical resources for aging residents like Veerman.

“I’m gonna be here for a while,” she said. “I have a beautiful daughter and son-in-law and lots of good neighbors and these people here.”

Veerman says she has found everything at the Senior Center and feels any upgrades will improve her quality of life.

Officials with the Gulfport Senior Center say plans are in place to break ground on the new building by 2024.

They said that while construction is underway, the current location will remain open.