Fairfax County officials unveiled a broad plan on Monday to accommodate the housing, transportation, health and safety needs of a senior population expected to balloon in coming years.
The flurry of initiatives seek to prepare the county for a 58 percent increase of residents aged 70 years and older by 2020, according to a report released by the county’s Committee on Aging.
The plan, while preliminary, represents the county’s first major policy proposals to address the looming issue of baby boomers crossing into retirement age.
Officials in Fairfax expect to see greater numbers of seniors who remain in the county instead of emigrating to points south and southwest to spend their golden years.
“More of us, in absolute terms, have chosen to age in place in Fairfax County,” said Board of Supervisor Chairman Gerry Connolly at a Monday news conference.
The county will use Reston as a model for creating more senior-friendly developments.
The planned community in western Fairfax, according to Monday’s report, successfully incorporates “access to a full range of options for transportation, services, recreation, health care, technology and housing.”
It said the county should move away from “Peter Pan housing,” which is “built as though we’ll never grow old,” in favor of new design concepts that promote accessibility, among other recommendations.
