RD186 - Annual Progress Report of the Department of Health Professions on the Effect of the Aging Population on State Agencies


Executive Summary:
This document comprises the report of the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP). Since DHP regulates health care practitioners in Virginia, the service the agency provides in granting licenses and disciplining those practitioners who are in violation of law or regulation affects all Virginians, regardless of age.

However, current publications and websites designed to be “senior-friendly” include the DHP website that includes vital information to seniors seeking to make informed choices about health care providers. In addition, The Department of Health Professions is partnering with 2-1-1 VIRGINIA to provide information regarding its licensees to the public so that they may make informed decisions regarding their health care. The partnership with 2-1-1 VIRGINIA will enable DHP to provide licensee information to the public who may not have access to the Internet at no cost to them. Among those who are anticipated to make greatest use of the service are elderly, since they are, as a group, typically the least likely to be connected to the Internet. The agency has provided an article about 2-1-1 for AARP to include in its newsletter, and it is working with Senior Navigator, Fifty Plus, Senior Connections and others to spread the news to seniors.