The Age Wave is Here! - Take a look at the "2014 WA State Aging Agenda"

The Age Wave is Here

The baby boomers are aging, 12 percent of Washingtonians are now 65 plus. By 2030 that will grow to nearly 20 percent or one out of every five people in our state.

This is both an opportunity and a challenge. It is a wonderful thing that people can now expect to live 20 to 30 years beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. And it is a reality that this growing aging population is putting pressure on state-funded services and infrastructure.

We all want to be independent, engaged and productive members of society as we age, the question is… Is Washington State Ready?

Unfortunately the answer is, “no.” The recession has made achieving a secure retirement harder than ever. Current and future retirees are struggling with declining home values, rising health care costs, shrinking nest eggs, and unemployment. Safety net services that help people age in place have been reduced while abuse, neglect and exploitation of the most vulnerable are on the rise.

We can and should do better for the seniors of today and tomorrow.

Aging Readiness Starts Today
Civic leaders nationwide are embracing this challenge with Aging Readiness – policy changes and planning for this huge demographic shift. It’s mission critical that state lawmakers respond and prepare.

In 2014 Washington State lawmakers have opportunities to innovate across sectors to make Washington a more age-friendly society today and to prepare for the changing population of tomorrow.

Find out how by downloading a copy of the  AARP WA Legislative Agenda 2014 Session.