RD461 - Virginia’s Four-Year Plan for Aging Services "Across the Continuum — Across the Commonwealth"


Executive Summary:
As the Baby Boom generation races toward traditional retirement age, the number of older adults in Virginia will reach 1.8 million by 2030 – more than double that population in 2000. In just two decades, almost one in every five Virginians will be age 65 or older, with the over 85 age group being the fastest growing segment of the population. Recognizing the coming “Age Wave,” the 2008 Virginia General Assembly expanded the duties of the Virginia Department for the Aging by mandating a four-year planning process for aging services. Numerous prior studies have already documented issues in serving Virginia’s older adults. This Plan however, attempts to present a comprehensive picture of where we are now and where we need to go to effectively meet the needs and leverage the human resources of Virginia’s rapidly aging population.

This report recognizes the broad continuum of aging and describes the current informal and formal array of supports and services utilized by older Virginians – and begins to layout a plan for how that system must change in order to meet future demands. It begins by underscoring the value of older Virginians as vital resources to our families and communities, stressing the power and responsibility each of us has in shaping our later years, and introducing the concept of “Optimal Aging.” It also recognizes that some of us require a level of assistance beyond what can be provided with informal supports or paid for with private means. Therefore, the Plan goes on to discusses how the Commonwealth, communities and public and private services can be designed to help us all remain safe and autonomous to the greatest extent possible, enabling us to “Age in Place” through the development of “Livable Communities.”

In addition to discussing how most individuals can help shape their later years through maintaining their physical and mental health to the greatest extent possible, remaining engaged in the social and civic life of their community, and planning for their financial future; this Plan recognizes that there are some special populations whose unique challenges call for particular consideration and targeted supports. These special populations include adults with lifelong disabilities, grandparents raising grandchildren, aging immigrants, and older prisoners.

Virginia is not alone in facing the coming age wave and there are transformational changes underway across the nation in aging services. These changes are being driven by both desire and necessity. Seniors overwhelmingly report they want to stay in their homes and communities and policy makers recognize that we simply cannot sustain the current system as the huge baby boom generation approaches their later years. As a result, the nation is moving from a cultural mindset of institutional care for the elderly to supporting individuals at home with the necessary level of care to thrive and contribute as members of the community.

Unfortunately, most communities developed over the past several decades are not conducive to “Aging in Place.” The vast majority of us live in suburbs - often in homes that present barriers as we age and located outside of public transit routes. When driving is no longer an option, we become isolated from grocery stores, pharmacies and medical services, and even friends and family.

Fortunately, there are models and resources available to help communities not just survive the impending demographic shift but actually seize the opportunity to create aging-friendly or “livable communities” for all ages. Such a community addresses the needs of older adults for safety and security, accessible and affordable housing, mobility options, home and community-based services, and accessible health care and medical-related supports. Livable communities that support older adults aging in place tend to also support healthier lifestyles for people of all ages. This report delves into each of these essential areas, discusses Virginia’s strengths and challenges, and presents recommendations for pathways to success.

Change is inevitable. If we ignore the signs, it will catch us unprepared and drive us to react in crisis. This Plan is the beginning of a comprehensive, inclusive and proactive approach to the coming change. The recommendations herein are the collective voices of policy makers, service providers, researchers, planners, and advocates. Although many of the recommendations focus on the most vulnerable citizens, others are more universal in nature with a goal to assist all older adults to remain as autonomous as possible given their unique circumstances.

Currently, the recommendations are not prioritized but rather categorized by topics. Arguably, some, such as health care workforce development are particularly urgent because of the years it will take to educate and develop the number of professionals and direct service workers needed to support the coming wave of older Virginians. Some recommendations are detailed because the necessary research is available to guide and support specific strategies. Others are broad-based, acknowledging the need for additional information to determine the proper approach. Many recommendations will necessitate funding and must be addressed as the economic climate improves. Finally, many recommendations will only come to fruition through collaborative efforts. It will be necessary to break through historical silos and build on existing and develop new creative partnerships, leveraging the strengths of both the public and private sectors. Wherever possible, this Plan recognizes and supports the recommendations of current collaborative efforts.

The primary goal of this first planning effort is to establish a structure and process that will serve as a solid foundation from which future efforts to assess Virginia’s network of aging services can evolve. Public input must be solicited, additional relevant data collected, some issues explored further, desired outcomes defined, recommendations prioritized and made actionable, benchmarks for measuring progress established, and a process for evaluating effectiveness designed and implemented. The most important change needed however, is not contained in this Plan – for state and local leaders to move the aging of Virginia near the top of the public policy agenda. There is obviously much to do and little time to prepare. The future is almost here.