Hamilton County: Who we are
* Total population: 351,200* Under 5 years: 6%* 5 to 9 years: 6%* 10 to 14 years: 6%* 15 to 19 years: 6%* 20 to 24 years: 7%* 25 to 34 years: 14%* 35 to 44 years: 13%* 45 to 54 years: 13%* 55 to 59 years: 7%* 60 to 64 years: 6%* 65 to 74 years: 9%* 75 to 84 years: 5%* 85 years and over: 2%Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Perry’s Picks
I always have two or three books going — I recently completed “Under Magnolia,” by Frances Mayes — she’s noted for “Under the Tuscan Sun” — but this book is about her growing up in Georgia in the 50s — very nuanced and not all sweetness and light. I also was moved by Patti Smith’s wonderful memoir of her time as a young artist in New York in the early 70s, “Just Kids.”I read mostly nonfiction, but in the fiction realm, I really enjoyed “The Tilted World” by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly about the Great Mississippi flood of 1927 and a couple as they make their way through that.
AARP National Policy Council
With more than 37 million members, the AARP’s national reputation for taking positions on important issues for seniors is well-known. Recently an AARP delegation of national representatives visited Chattanooga to explore the impact of the city’s fast fiber network (GIG) on people aged 50 and greater. “They came here to study our innovation economy and they came here with the idea their membership needs to be more engaged in the conversations,” says Ken Hays, President and CEO, The Enterprise Center. “As a card-carrying member of the AARP, I really haven’t thought too much about the fact that my generation’s often left out of this innovation conversation.” “They mainly asked, ‘How do you come up with some scalable programs that other communities can use to help seniors?’ We’re hoping to be a city that helps figure that out,” Hays says.This year, AARP’s Board of Directors has charged its National Policy Council, Community and Livable Communities Committee with examining ways to promote innovation while ensuring consumer protections. We live in a time of rapid technological change, which has the potential to greatly improve the quality-of-life of the 50+ population as they age. New technologies can positively disrupt aging by enhancing inclusion of the 50-plus and easing life transitions. For example:* New mobile banking and payment features make long-distance financial caregiving much more feasible* Similarly, the “sharing economy” can help older workers find flexible jobs to earn more income and can provide valuable services at a low cost* Transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, e.g., can help aging Americans get around when they may not be able or want to driveBroadband helps reduce isolation for the 50+ by ensuring access to an increasing array of health care, employment and entertainment technology. Increased vehicle automation has saved lives and prevented injuries by enhancing mobility, particularly for people 50+ who are impaired, unable to drive or live in communities with few transportation options. Similarly, some studies have identified areas or opportunities where remote monitoring devices and other technology, made possible through broadband, have the potential to facilitate chronic disease management and improve patient experience.AARP selected Chattanooga for this community convening because of its smart grid — a state-of-the-art system that has sparked an innovation revolution.
Q: How did you develop a niche in Elder Law?
A: When I started at the firm years ago, the partners identified a need for additional legal counsel in areas like elder law and estate planning. I found that I really enjoyed working in this practice area and wanted to help families plan responsibly for their futures. A related area is special needs planning for families dealing with a loved one with a physical or intellectual disability or ongoing mental illness. Both elder law and special needs planning involve thinking about how best to care for a person physically, how to handle protecting monies that may need to be set aside for them and so on – the areas are first cousins to each other. I’d say 40 to 50 percent of what I do is traditional estate planning and the rest balanced between elder law and special needs planning.