Pursuant to § 51.5-128 of the Code of Virginia, the Commonwealth Council on Aging (“Council") submits its annual electronic report regarding the activities and recommendations of the Council.

The Council is charged with promoting an efficient, coordinated approach by state government to meet the needs of older Virginians. With approximately 1.9 million adults in Virginia who are over 60 years old, the Council commends the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), the 25 local Area Agencies on Aging, and the array of public and private service providers, all of which provide crucial support to older Virginians and their caregivers.

I am happy to share that the Council had a busy and exciting year.

This summer, the Council was pleased to welcome several new members during the transition to a new structure that aligns with Chapter 583 of the 2023 Acts of Assembly. The Honorables Christopher T. Head and Patrick A. Hope were appointed to the Council by the Senate Committee on Rules and House Speaker, respectively. In addition, the Executive Director of the Virginia Center on Aging, currently Tracey Gendron, MS, Ph.D., and two at-large citizen members (Roland Winston for his second term and Yolanda Stevens, Ph.D. for her first term) also joined the Council.

DARS, in support of the Council and with funding provided in the 2024 Appropriation Act, hired the Council’s first Executive Director, Sara Stowe, in September. As Executive Director, Sara Stowe will provide expanded staff support to the Council and serve as the Council’s Secretary.

In 2023, the Council also received its first grant from the Virginia Center on Aging (VCOA) Geriatric Training and Education (GTE) Program and has been hard at work implementing this one-year project. Focused on increasing knowledge about food insecurity, malnutrition, and the programs available to them, the Council’s GTE grant created five microlearning videos on the topic. The grant implementation was very successful, with the videos having been collectively viewed 815 times. The Council and DARS obtained 114 evaluation surveys from individuals viewing the videos. Among these participants, 87% agreed that their understanding of malnutrition and food security among older adults increased, 89% agreed that their knowledge of available programs increased, and 90% responded that they were likely to refer older adults to these programs. More information about the grant can be found in this report.

For your consideration and as you look ahead to the upcoming General Assembly Session, the Council has prepared its 2025 Legislative Recommendations, which focus on three primary areas:

A. Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) –

1. Increase Funding for HCBS Through Area Agencies on Aging

2. State funds for Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program

3. Conduct a Study on the Feasibility of a Multisector Plan on Aging

B. Long-Term Care Services --

4. Replicating the RAFT Program in Other Areas of the Commonwealth

5. Support Nursing Home Inspection and Enforcement Process

6. Increase Nursing Home Personal Needs Allowance and/or Create a State-Based Tax Deduction or Credit for Donations of Personal Needs Items to For-Profit Nursing Homes

7. Strengthen Nursing Home Transparency, Data, and Oversight

C. Dementia Services –

8. Expand Dementia Care Management to Underserved Areas of Virginia

9. Provide State General Funds for the Ongoing Operations of the Virginia Memory Project

More information about the 2025 Legislative Recommendations can be found in this report.

Lastly, the Council was also pleased to celebrate its 2024 Best Practices Awards winners. With financial support from Dominion Energy and AARP Virginia, the Best Practices Awards honor model programs that improve the lives of older Virginians and support caregivers. This year’s winners highlight the importance of community connections and how arts and culture can create a sense of community and purpose. In addition to onsite recognition ceremonies, the Council partnered with DARS and the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging (V4A) to showcase the winners via a live (and recorded) webinar on August 27, 2024.

The Council looks forward to partnering with policymakers in advocating for and supporting older Virginians. I have no doubt that the Council’s impact on the Commonwealth of Virginia will continue to grow with the support of the Executive Director and our new Council members. Together, we can make Virginia a great place for everyone to grow old.

Sincerely,

/s/ Carla Hesseltine, Chair