Last week we attended the Community Foundation’s 6th annual Shape of the Region conference on the needs of the 300,000+ adults over the age of 65 who live in Northern Virginia.

 
We learned that only 6.5% of older Northern Virginians move each year and only 2.6% of them leave the state. An overwhelming majority, therefore, “age-in-place” and constitute an ever-growing segment of the local demographic. Over time, most will need increasing help from family and/or paid caregivers, accessible housing, and the financial capacity to afford it all.
 
The event addressed one of the biggest challenges facing Northern Virginia: how to support the needs and priorities of a booming population of older Northern Virginians.

Community leaders and organizations showed their support for providing the elderly with the care they need to age with respect and comfort.

 
Civic change is hard, but always starts with a discussion. We came away from the conference with a greater sense of shared purpose.

PW Perspective is committed to amplifying the work that organizations are doing here in Prince William County and surrounding areas toward working with our aging community. Organizations like My Natural Me, with the Dementia Caregivers Support Program provide resources and education to assist families supporting loved ones with dementia, which traditionally affect people 65 and over.

In addition, our series, Voices Of A Generation, highlights the voices of our seniors in the community, spotlighting their many years of work and service to the Northern Virginia area.