64% of Virginia business leaders feel that the impending retirement of a large number of workers in the future is a serious issue for the economy. Source: 2008 Older Dominion Project Business Leaders' Study
Members/Partners
Member Profiles
Name: Mary Lynne Bailey
Title: Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs
Company/Organization: Virginia Health Care Association
ODP Member Since: December 11, 2007
ODP Committee Affiliation: Health & Long-term Care
Summarize your professional background relevant to Age Wave preparedness.
Since 1990, I have represented Virginia nursing homes and assisted living facilities before the Virginia General Assembly, state agencies, and the Virginia Congressional Delegation. Much of my work has focused on achieving adequate public funding for the care of frail, elderly Virginians who have been productive citizens all their lives but, due to illness, accident, or advancing age, have outlived their savings and found themselves reliant on the state and federal government to fund their care needs.
What expertise or other strengths do you bring to the Older Dominion Partnership?
Working with long term care issues over the years has taught me a great deal about the costs of health care and long term care, both to the individual and the government, and the need for a responsible, nonpunitary regulatory climate that will both protect the frail elderly and disabled and allow health providers to deliver care appropriately, efficiently, and without overly burdensome regulatory requirements.
What do you believe are the most pressing issues in Age Wave-preparedness in Virginia today?
The most pressing issues in Age Wave-preparedness are (1) lack of accessible housing; (2) insufficient numbers of geriatric physicians, nurses, and direct care workers; (3) insufficient funding to provide living wages for caregivers and adequate reimbursement for providers; and (3) lack of levels of care in all Virginia communities from home care through the various levels of residential care.
What advice do you have for age wave planning in Virginia?
While State policymakers over the years have acknowledged the challenges the Commonwealth faces with the rapidly approaching demographic age wave, little has been done to prepare for the realities of an aging society. The Commonwealth must address workforce, funding, accessible housing, and development of levels of long term care in all communities across the state. Aging Virginians want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, but they need services to enable them to do this. If they become dependent to the point that residential care is most appropriate, they must have providers that can deliver both quality care and quality of life.