WASHINGTON--As baby boomers near retirement age, most American communities are unprepared to meet the needs of the impending increase in the elderly population, a recent study found.

Just 46 percent of the country's communities have started planning for the coming surge, according to "The Maturing of America--Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population," led by The National Association for Area Agencies on Aging and funded by the Metlife Foundation. By 2030, the study says, 71.5 million people, or one in every five Americans, will be over age 65 in the United States--twice the number in 2000.

Among the study's findings: Although a huge majority of seniors would rather stay at home as they age, only half of America's communities have home modification programs allowing seniors to alter their homes to compensate for physical limitations. And just a third give older adults access to preventive health care services like health education, screenings and counseling on prescription drug programs.

Other problems include inadequate street signage, emergency services and fitness and job training programs.

The full report is available at www.n4a.org.