RD162 - Second Annual Summary of Reports on Progress in Addressing the Impact of the Aging Population by State Agencies


Executive Summary:
Background:

The Virginia General Assembly has directed all state agencies to designate staff to review agency policies and programs and identify opportunities to make them more accommodating to seniors and persons with disabilities (§2.2-604.1). Agencies are further mandated to analyze the impact that the aging of the population will have on its ability to deliver services and report to the Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) on how the agency is responding to these changes. VDA is then directed to submit a report summarizing the progress made by the agencies to the Governor and the General Assembly by June 30 of each year (§2.2-5510). In order to make the submission of data less burdensome, in 2008 VDA asked agencies to submit their reports through an online survey. This document represents the second annual summary report prepared by VDA and is based on the 81 individual agency reports submitted in 2008.

This annual analysis and reporting has been incorporated into the mandated strategic planning process for all agencies in recognition of the aging of Virginia’s population. Demographic projections show that by the year 2030, the number of Virginians age 65 and older will double from approximately 900,000 today to just under 1.8 million and will grow from 12 to18 percent of the total population. Sometimes referred to in popular literature as the “silver tsunami,” it is anticipated that such a dramatic shift in the age profile of the Commonwealth will have an impact on many aspects of life for young and old alike. State agencies must be prepared for this change if they are to continue carrying out the business of government efficiently and providing needed services to all Virginians even as the population and their own workforce ages.

Report Findings – Services:

In response to survey questions, 73 percent of the 81 responding agencies reported that they currently provide some services or programs that are used by citizens aged 60 and older. These cover a very broad range including such diverse services as: meals programs, transportation, health care, emergency preparedness, protection from fraud or abuse, educational programs, arts and cultural opportunities, and many others. Half of the state agencies believe the aging of Virginia’s population will impact their ability to deliver services while over a third report no anticipated impact.

Agencies were also asked to report on their efforts to develop or expand services to address future needs and any new activities undertaken related to the aging population since they submitted their 2007 reports. It is encouraging to note that several agencies highlighted recent activities to provide targeted information for seniors, increase emergency planning for this population, bolster the healthcare workforce, and develop educational and cultural opportunities specifically for this growing population. However, several agencies also took the opportunity to express concern with their ability to meet increased demand for services from the older population and/or concern with the likely loss of experienced staff due to retirements.

Report Findings – Workforce:

Similar to the reports submitted in 2007, a clear majority of state agencies (72%) confirmed in the 2008 reports that the loss of older employees will have a significant impact on agency operations. On a positive note however, more agencies (83%) reported specific succession planning strategies in 2008 than reported such strategies in 2007 (77%). In addition, a majority of agencies reported having specific strategies to retain employees approaching retirement and to recruit employees to replace those who have retired. Clearly, state agencies are aware of this workforce trend and are taking some steps to mitigate the negative consequences.

Conclusions & Recommendations:

Agencies responding to the online survey were asked to select from a number of activities that potentially would be helpful as they prepare to serve an aging population: 74% report being interested in sharing best practices among agencies on dealing with an aging workforce; 67% have interest in data about how the population will change in the coming decades as well as how the next generation will differ from today’s seniors; 64% would like training on how the next generation of employees will differ from the baby boomers; 58% are interested in more information about what other agencies were doing to prepare to serve an older population; and dome agencies offered specific suggestions regarding training, information or policies that could support their efforts to provide services to a changing population.

The Department for the Aging’s overall recommendations remain essentially unchanged from the 2008 report. These include:

* State agencies could benefit from and are interested in information and training to help them prepare to serve an aging population.

* Almost all agencies are concerned with the aging of the state workforce and although many are working to mitigate the loss of knowledge and experience, the Commonwealth should help agencies learn effective knowledge transfer strategies and share best practices in workforce management.

* Each Secretariat or state agency should be encouraged to conduct an internal assessment of their ability to serve an aging customer base as well as their aging related workforce strategies. Each agency is an expert in its subject area and is therefore in the best position to determine if current preparations are sufficient to meet the challenges ahead.

The eighty-one (81) reports submitted by state agencies pursuant to §2.2-5510.4 present a mixed but somewhat encouraging view of agency preparations. While some agencies are taking innovative and targeted steps to address the future needs of an older population, others report that they have undertaken limited or no activity specifically designed to prepare for this change. As in past years, there are a minority of agencies that seem to be unaware of the broad implications of the impending age wave. The challenge for the Commonwealth remains - to ensure that all agencies are realistically planning for the future and will be well positioned to continue to serve the Virginia of tomorrow.