Comments Document

The Virginia Assisted Living Association (VALA) represents nearly 200 licensed assisted living communities (ALF) throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia of varying capacities and operational structures. VALA supports HJ463. Data provided by the Census Bureau shows a net out-migration from Virginia of individuals aged 60 and older between 2010 through 2022. For the first time in U.S. history, adults aged 65 and older are projected to outnumber children by 2034 because of the aging “Baby Boomer” population. Should the baby boomers continue the recent trend of migration out of Virginia, this will negatively impact Virginia in multiple areas including, but not limited to: demographic shifts in workforce, healthcare systems, economic impacts, real estate markets, and even political and social influences. By understanding why older Virginians are migrating out of the Commonwealth, Virginia’s agencies and community stakeholders can help to stabilize migration influencers. With this study, existing policies and regulations may be identified that are unintentionally contributing to this trend. Study findings and recommendations will allow the Commonwealth to consider changes that could reverse the migration of older Virginians. VALA requests the passage of HJ 463 and would welcome the opportunity to work with JLARC and the Virginia General Assembly to improve the quality of life for and the retention of older Virginians.

Support for HJ463.

Good evening, Recently, Governor Youngkin gave remarks on Legislative Day, January 21, where he shared how Virginia has been seeing a steady growth in people moving into the state over the past several years. However, HJ463 points to an area that we may not have been fully aware of and that warrants attention: Virginians 60 and older have been leaving the Commonwealth for the past decade. HJ463 is asking JLARC to study the causation and resulting impact of this migration. The consequences of this migration range from decreased tax revenue, loss of workforce and historical knowledge base (which is needed to adequately train those coming into positions) and most of all, people possibly leaving the home they love for reasons we need to be aware of to ensure the state is maintaining a "do no harm" stance as it pertains to its elder citizens. As a gerontologist in training, this issue is of great concern to me and my colleagues in the gerontology field, as we do the work that contributes to the quality of life for Virginia’s seniors. This issue raises the quite reasonable question of why many of Virginian’s older citizens are choosing to relocate outside of Virginia, possibly people who were born here and spent their lives working and raising families in the Commonwealth, contributing in numerous ways and measures to the state's growth and development. I respectfully encourage and urge that the committee support passage of HJ463 to JLARC study. Thank you, Glynis Boyd Hughes