Investor Presentaiton

AGING PROGRAMS AND PLAN FOCUS AREAS VIRGINIA AREA 2 - AGE IN PLACE (cont.) Collaborative Initiatives Virginia is committed to supporting older adults to live in the homes and communities of their choice. According to AARP (2018), nationally almost 80 percent of adults age 50 and older say they want to remain in their communities and homes as they age.6 In addition to state agency efforts described in this plan that broadly support aging in place, many AAAs are partners in collaborative projects that realize these ideals on a daily basis for older adults in their PSAs. In addition to common foci on affordable and accessible housing and transportation, these efforts also frequently focus on combat- ing the ills of social isolation, unnecessary institutionalization, and ageism, which is the tendency to view aging as negative and not to regard older adults as important resources to their families, friends and communities. Across the Commonwealth, a myriad of local, regional, and grassroots initiatives are well underway to develop, maintain, and promote opportunities to facilitate creation of age-friendly and livable communities and support the wishes of older adults to age in place and in their com- munities. Reflective of the uniqueness of each community, these efforts are frequently partnered with local housing agencies, public transportation, local governments, AAAs, economic development programs, universities, health systems, faith-based organiza- tions, and service providers, among others. Listed below in broad brush groupings, the dynamic initiatives, which are too numerous to mention here, have the potential to leverage additional attention, energy, and resources, including those for affordable and accessible housing and transportation, beyond the traditional aging network and OAA program offerings. Age Wave Readiness Dementia Friendly America and Dementia Age-friendly and Livable Communities Naturally Occurring Retirement Friends Initiative Villages Diversity and Inclusion Communities (NORCs) Under the OAA, service priority is given to older individuals with greatest economic and social need, with special emphasis on low-income minority individuals, older individu- als with limited English proficiency, older persons residing in rural or geographically isolated areas, and older individuals at risk for institutional placement. Beyond these federally enumerated target populations, DARS and the aging network have also expressed commitment to support older Virginians who are members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community, Native Americans, im- migrants, and individuals with disabilities. Some AAAs have already engaged in staff diversity, person-centered, and cultural competency training to support increased awareness of serving diverse populations. It is the desire of DARS and the aging network to provide services in a culturally com- petent manner that respects each person's individuality, dignity, and ability to make their own choices. 6AARP (2018, August). 2018 Home and Community Based Preferences Survey: A National Survey of Adults Age 18-Plus. Ac- cessed on February 15, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/community/info-2018/2018-home- community-preference.html. 51

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