Is Your Strategy Age-Ready? Preparing for a New Era of Behavioral Health Demand
By Community Service Board of Middle Georgia
A new wave of demographic change is underway across the United States, and the implications for behavioral health service providers are profound. According to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau, adults aged 65 and older now outnumber children in 11 states—a notable increase from just three states in 2020. Nearly half of all counties in the country have experienced this demographic crossover (Oss, 2025).
Between 2004 and 2024, the share of older adults in the U.S. population rose from 12.4% to 18%, while the share of children decreased from 25% to 21.5% (Oss, 2025). These shifts may not command headlines like economic crashes or elections, but they will reshape healthcare, housing, transportation, and social services. In Georgia and across the South, where the median age remains relatively young (38.8), these shifts still demand proactive planning to accommodate an aging population.
The need is particularly urgent in the behavioral health space. Nearly 13 million older adults received mental health treatment in the past year, with women more likely than men to access services (19.6% vs. 11.9%). Alcohol use remains a concern among older adults as well—over 10 million reported binge drinking, and 2.5 million reported heavy drinking, with older men significantly more likely to engage in both behaviors (Oss, 2025).
At CSB of Middle Georgia, we recognize the urgent need to adapt to this growing demand. Our service strategy must evolve from being “age-aware” to “age-ready.” This includes enhancing tailored service lines to meet the unique mental health, substance use, and caregiving needs of older adults. The general shift in healthcare also includes preparing for a rise in chronic conditions, increased demand for in-home supports, and reimagining traditional infrastructure.
With the number of Americans over age 65 expected to grow from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050—a 47% increase—this is only the beginning of the transformation (Oss, 2025). As a community-based provider, we are committed to creating innovative, compassionate solutions that offer support to older individuals.
To explore best practices and age-ready service models, CSBMG monitors national conversations, including events like the 2025 OPEN MINDS Aging In Place Summit. These forums bring together leading experts to discuss forward-thinking approaches in senior care, technology integration, and behavioral health access.
As we look to the future, we invite our partners, stakeholders, and communities to join us in asking: Is your strategy age-ready? At CSBMG, we are working every day to make sure ours is.
References
Oss, M. E. (2025, June 30). Is your strategy age ready? OPEN MINDS. https://www.openminds.com