e-News from Older Dominion Partnership

Articles & Reports

Age Wave in Action

The energy was palpable as 275 government and civic leaders from across Virginia gathered May 20 to attend the first annual Virginia Forum on Age Wave Planning. As a lead sponsor, the Older Dominion Partnership was thrilled by the attendance, the quality of the speakers and the media coverage. If you couldn't be there, here's how to catch up:

Media Coverage
"Downturn, Boomers will alter everything, Va. researcher says,"
Charlottesville Daily Progress.
"Group Addresses the 'Coming Age Wave,'" WVIR-TV, Channel 29

Downloads and Presentations
Agenda (PDF)
Press Release, April 16, 2009 (PDF)
Welcome Address from Governor Kaine
Let's Do the Numbers: Population Aging in Virginia - Dr. Quian Cai, Susan Perrone, Meredith Strohm Gunter (PDF 777K)
Economic Opportunities for Your Community - Kim Scheeler (PDF 1.7M)
You Can Create a "Livable Community" - Elinor Grinzler (PDF 2.4M)
What Your Neighbors Are Doing to Prepare - A Panel of Virginia Communities Engaged in Age Wave Planning - Gordon Walker, Dana Kauffman, Sallie Morgan, Sherrie Brach (PDF 8M)
Resources That Can Help the ODP - Thomas Silvestri (PDF 3.1M)
Resources That Can Help the ODP - Dr. Richard Lindsay & Kiersten Ware (PDF 6.3M)

Boomers Transforming Real Estate Again

As Boomers retire, demand is surging for "active adult" housing, according to Nation's Building News. "[Boomers] are more flexible about where they want to live, and they are looking for a more urbanized experience; they want engagement."

The article profiles the New Town project in Williamsburg, which mixes 2,000 residential units with commercial and retail development. The developer expected the first residential component to be filled with young professionals. Instead 70% of occupants are empty nesters and new retirees. Virginia's county and city comprehensive plans need to accommodate the demand for a new kind of housing. Read more.

Like an IPod for Seniors

Linked Senior, a business started by two young French men, has introduced a new technology into Vincent Hall Retirement Community, in McLean, that allows residents to download music, news or audio entertainment from a menu tailored to their interests. There are no passwords to remember, and the interface is a large, touch-screen monitor with brightly contrasting colors that seniors with poor eyesight can read.

There is a large and growing market for age wave solutions, creating boundless opportunity for Virginia businesses.
Read more.

We Didn't Look Hard Enough

In the last edition of the ODP e-Newsletter, we linked to an AP story recounting how several states were thinking about instituting Silver Alerts, like AMBER alerts but for seniors who may have wandered off and gotten lost. We checked the General Assembly legislative database for 2009 legislation but couldn't find anything, so we noted that "no comparable initiative was being considered in Virginia."

Maybe that's because the General Assembly had already passed a law -- back in 2007 -- instituting a Senior Alert system. You can see the Virginia State Police Web page here. We apologize for the oversight.