America is aging. Between 1960 and 1990 the general population of the United States grew by 39 percent, but the number of persons 65 years of age and older grew by 89 percent and the number 85 and older grew by a whopping 232 percent. And the trend will accelerate in the 21st century.

Beginning in 2008, the baby boomers, some 76 to 78 million strong, will begin to turn 62 and be eligible for social security. Societal issues related to the elderly will then become even more urgent.

"The aging of America," say educators Henry Holstege and Robert Riekse, "is a societal revolution with far-reaching implications."

All of which makes a new state grant to a West Michigan organization headed up by Holstege and Riekse all the more important. The state of Michigan is giving $109,560 to the Calvin College-Grand Rapids Community College Consortium on Aging -- run by Riekse, a professor at GRCC, and Holstege, a Calvin College professor.

The money will be used for a variety of activities, most of which will be designed to, says Holstege, "enable older persons to age in place" -- in other words, to remain in their own homes as long as possible. "Elderly people want that," says Holstege, "and their kids wants that. This project will help people make that possible."

Said Governor John Engler: "The majority of older persons would prefer to stay in their own homes. This innovative project focuses on the strengths of our seniors who want to remain in their own homes, continue working and remain healthy."

A number of projects are on the docket. A resource book will be produced that will provide information on such things as spousal care, parent care, in-home chore services and home modification. In-service training will be given to local aging professionals. They will be surveyed, asked about their needs and then training will be designed to fill those needs. Conferences will be organized for the "average local citizen" who wishes to learn more about issues of aging.

And this summer --starting in August -- the Consortium will begin a series of seven live, interactive television programs on local cable access, featuring panel discussions, viewer phone calls and more on important issues of aging. Those 90-minute programs will be produced at GRCC and taped for distribution to local agencies, churches and schools.

"We want those programs to be pragmatic and informative," Holstege says. "We think they will be excellent resources for people who need information."

The effort already is being hailed as a model for other state communities which wish to address the problems of aging. The state's Office of Services to the Aging has given its hearty support to the project. The state's Department of Community Health praised the project and its local community support (local matching funds from participating organizations will meet 100 percent of the monies from the state).

"The local community support for this project is an outstanding part of this project," said Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr., a Calvin graduate. "The involvement of individuals from community based services, city government, the faith based community and neighborhood organizations demonstrates a true commitment to the continued success of the Consortium."

Participating agencies in the Consortium include Senior Neighbors, Inc., Home Health Services, Inc., Gerontology Network Services, Citizens for Better Care, AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program, Career Transitions, Home Repair Services, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, Inc., Rehabilitation Services-Michigan Jobs Commission, Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan and the Grand Rapids Housing Development Office.

"Older Americans are the fastest growing segment of our population -- and perhaps the most vulnerable," said Calvin College President Gaylen Byker. "Calvin College is pleased to be working with Grand Rapids Community College to provide educational services that will help seniors remain independent and safe in their own homes as long as possible."

"This project strengthens our ability to partner with Calvin College and community agencies to provide older people, their families and service providers with knowledge that will promote successful, independent living for persons in their later years," said Grand Rapids Community College President Richard Calkins.

Holstege and Riekse are West Michigan natives and earned bachelor's degrees locally -- Holstege at Calvin College and Riekse at Hope College -- before earning doctoral degrees at Michigan State University. They have been doing collaborative work on aging since the late 1960s.

Michael Faber, a gerontologist, will work as the Project Coordinator.