Task force says Arlington needs to improve services as population ages

Arlington County (Map, News) - A task force submitted a report to the Arlington County Board earlier this month recommending improvements in senior services to meet the needs of the county’s growing senior population.

The Elderly Readiness Task Force was formed in March to make recommendations to the county on how to deal with a growing elderly population, which is expected to double to about 40,000 people by 2030. Members were appointed by the County Board.

The panel was told to “assess the county’s readiness to meet the needs of [elderly] residents and to prepare a blueprint for an inclusive, livable community that will ensure that these residents remain engaged in the community and continue to be a vital part of Arlington,” according to the report.

The report identified numerous “critical gaps” the county must fill to deal with an aging population. The panel recommended the county appoint staff members to deal specifically with the elderly in an effort to improve communication.

The county also should plan to expand assisted-living facilities, make apartment complexes more accessible to seniors and provide better public transportation options that reach outside of Metro corridors.

Legislative changes, including working with state and federal lawmakers to expand medical benefits, also are recommended.

The panel is expected to meet with County Board members on Dec. 20 to discuss the report and determine how to move forward with its recommendations, said Terri Lynch, director of Arlington’s aging agency.

“This has been a very speedy process” since the panel began work in March, she said. “We’re actively soliciting comments from members of the public. There’s been a lot of community input in this entire process.”

Lynch said she expects the document to evolve as the panel and board work through it.

“It’s absolutely a working document,” she said.

dfrancis@dcexaminer.com