In a broad review of the nation’s communities, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging delivered some grim news: Less than half of cities and counties had plans in place to serve an aging population of baby boomers. But Fairfax County was among a small number of localities lauded for their “great ideas.” The county was recognized for how it structured services by zip codes to link volunteers and seniors within communities.
Unfortunately, there is little time to celebrate. Fairfax County, like the rest of the country, is facing a looming jump in the population of the elderly that could require a serious restructuring of services and funding.
“My generation, the baby boom, is the largest single demographic bulge in the history of America,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald Connolly. “And as we age, more of us are going to want to age in place. We like our community; we don’t want to move.”
County demographers predict the 65-and-older population will swell in the next two decades. The segment is slated to grow from 87,725 in 2005 to 104,431 by 2010. By 2025, the figure is expected to reach 150,962.
In the current budget, only about 2 percent to 3 percent of county funds are allocated to senior citizens, Connolly said. About half of the total budget goes to education.
“I think you’re going to see more attention paid, obviously, to the senior population, and that will be reflected in the budget over time,” he said.
Looking ahead, the county is going to try to recruit more baby boomer volunteers to help others within their community, said Barbara Antley, division director for adult and aging services in the Department of Family Services.
“The baby boomers are used to working,” she said. “We’re trying to find new ways to appeal to them.”
