Alexandria officials are bracing for a flood of senior citizens, as a wave of aging baby boomers cascades into retirement.
“We need to be ready for the ‘silver tsunami,’ as some are calling it,” said MaryAnn Griffin, director of the city’s office of aging.
Alexandria’s population of senior citizens jumped roughly 40 percent between 2000 and 2007, from about 15,000 to more than 21,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
On top of that, Alexandria’s office of aging estimates the number of city residents older than 85 will increase by more than 185 percent during the next 20 years, and will comprise a substantially larger slice of the city’s population pie.
The City Council approved roughly $75,000 in funding for a strategic five-year plan for aging services, which the city will craft with a consulting company.
“Communities that have undertaken this planning process are going to be in much better shape, not only to deliver programs but to compete for resources that will become available,” said Vice Mayor Kerry Donley, referencing Arlington and Fairfax counties as examples.
Alexandria plans to hire an expert to examine the city’s demographic data, advise officials on the appropriate next steps, and engage local business and nonprofit organizations to improve senior services.
“There’s going to be an enormous economic opportunity,” said Councilman Rob Krupicka, adding that local businesses that cater to seniors — or those that could amend their businesses to accommodate the age group — need to be engaged during the planning process.
Griffin said her office hoped to partner with local businesses to provide a wider variety of senior services, many targeted at those who are still financially independent and mobile.
“We want to develop a cadre of services for seniors of all income levels and all ages,” Griffin said, citing services like for-profit gourmet home meal delivery for residents who want their food delivered but wouldn’t qualify or want to participate in Meals on Wheels programs.
“This could open up all kinds of interesting business opportunities,” Griffin said.
