Durham is alive.

Citizens sense it in every step, through the indie band playing at a local bar or the smell of fresh-brewed coffee at a local cafe.

There’s always someone, somewhere, doing something.

Naturally, people set up shop. Planting their roots deep beneath the city streets, taking advantage of everything Durham has to offer.

But the longer life goes, the harder it is to do any of that. Muscles weaken, minds dull. Those same city streets seem unapproachable now. Root rotting beneath your feet.

Durham has not aged well.

The Root of the Issue 

Durham is an aging city.

Located in the North Carolina Research Triangle, Durham is a hotspot for medical technology and other forms of experimentation. Naturally, advances in technology and medicine have increased the life expectancy of Durham citizens. However, due to that, life expectancy and the older population will continue to increase. The Durham Center for Senior Life (DCSL) receives more calls from seniors for support every morning, said Support Services Director Niya Carrington.

“Our aging adults deal with a lot of isolation,” Carrington said. “Either health reasons or because they don’t want to drive anymore. I think that that’s still a big issue we’re trying to address.”

Beyond isolation, living a longer life exposes you to a range of complications. For example, their physical activity decreases, and they’re more susceptible to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, cancer and other disabilities. Dementia, for example, affects approximately 514,000 Americans each year. That number is projected to double to more than 1 million per year by 2060. Additionally, minorities, especially Black Americans, have higher risks for conditions like high blood pressure and dementia.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the number of Durham adults aged 60-65 is projected to grow from 61,258 in 2022 to 91,220 in 2042. This will increase the number of people aged 85 and older by 149%.

The problems of aging adults go beyond physical decline — challenges such as finding sustainable housing and accessing food. Housing, especially, can be challenging to find. A 2021 AARP community survey showed that 77% of older adults want to remain in their homes long-term, but the houses themselves are rising in price.

“The senior housing [in Durham] is not as affordable as other places,” Carrington said. “A lot of housing is being quickly bought up for development, which raises property taxes. A lot of people are losing their homes because of that.”

Furthermore, seniors who require support from caregivers or care partners must pay at least $28 per hour for their care. Whether aging yourself or caring for someone who’s aging, without the proper resources, the task can prove overwhelming for all those involved.

“They have their own children that they’re caring for themselves, and then they’re trying to care for their loved one,” Carrington said. “[It’s] challenging in many different aspects.”

That being said, Carrington, along with many other nonprofits, has begun implementing a plan designed to ease the aging process.

Durham Master Aging Plan 

For more than 25 years, Shelsia Howard Martinez has dedicated herself to two things: community health and nonprofits. The Wilmington Native has lived in Durham for over 30 years and currently serves as the Executive Director of Aging Well Durham, the coordinator behind the 2025-2030 Durham Master Aging Plan (MAP).

With over 150 individuals involved, the plan aims to outline the changes needed to support Durham citizens from childhood through their later years.

“It’s an 18-month process,” Executive Director Shelisa Howard-Martinez said. “representatives from local nonprofits, Durham, city and county government, public health, the healthcare system here, Duke Health System, Duke University, NCCU and individual older adults and adults who have disabilities.”

Howard cited an immediate need for improved education and safety.

“We need good public education,” Howard-Martinez said. “We need youth to be safe, youth to have access to affordable, safe housing and food. That’s the first step to aging well.

By providing youth with an understanding of the problems people face as they age while also offering opportunities to address them, the plan seeks to create a more civically engaged community. With increased engagement, we can decrease the burden on community health workers while expanding their workforce.

Contributions aren’t limited to acting medical professionals. Citizens can advocate for accessible public transportation, equitable housing and long-term care support through their democratic decision-making.

“[You] can’t just wait till you turn 50 or 60,” Howard-Martinez said. “We really need to start before people are actually born and make sure that as we grow older, throughout our entire lifespan, we have the support we need.”

Recently, the MAP has reached its implementation phase. One of the primary adopters, The DCSL, has found even greater success by implementing the plan within its existing structure.

Durham Center for Senior Life

The DSCL is one of the most prominent organizations dedicated to supporting the aging population. Founded in 1949, the DSCL has dedicated itself to enriching the lives of adults 55 and older through inclusive, holistic care.

Beginning with information services, DSCL has committed to producing an annual resource directory. This year’s directory has over 100 pages of resources for aging adults and their families. For those who prefer, DSCL also has multiple support staff on call to ensure you receive the care you need. can provide callers with confidential referrals to critical services, including legal, housing, mental health, and transportation.

“We do a lot of information and case assistance,” Carrington said. “It’s about getting them in the right direction and then ensuring that their needs are addressed.”

In-house DSCL has a food pantry with additional food programs being offered based on age and income. Additionally, DSCL has an adult day health center where a loved one can be cared for during the day by licensed CNAs, PCAs, and on-site nurses. Whether for a full day or part of it, DSCL has a wide variety of exercises to keep aging adults engaged both mentally and physically.

DSCL has provided care and resources for those who need them. Carrington said that she and her staff plan to keep these services free of charge for as long as possible.

“There are other senior centers that charge a fee,” she said, “I’m very proud we have the funding and ability to provide all of our services free of charge.”

Edited by Medha Nair