Peninsula study warns of a sharply growing older population, stresses caregiver supports

Adelia Thompson, chief executive of the Peninsula Community Foundation, told Poquoson City Council that a foundation‑commissioned study shows the region—s population aged 60 and older has nearly doubled since 2000 and will continue to grow sharply over the next 25 years.

The presentation, delivered at a council work session, said the working‑age population (ages 30 to 60) is projected to grow by about 20 percent in the next 25 years while the population ages 60 to 80 is projected to rise by 133 percent. "When we were created, the Virginia Peninsula was the largest community in the Commonwealth without a community foundation," Thompson said, framing the research as a tool for municipal planning.

The report highlights increases in health care needs and emergency‑medical‑service use among older residents. Thompson said adults in their eighties are the largest consumers of EMS and estimated roughly 48 EMS calls per 100 individuals in that age cohort. She and Peninsula Agency on Aging (PAA) director Bill Massey said mobility and access to affordable, safe transportation are among the most urgent challenges.

Massey, who described PAA—s service history on the Peninsula since the 1970s, said caregiver shortages and the toll of caregiving are major local concerns. He summarized caregiver survey findings: 53 percent of caregivers work full time, 59 percent are caring for a parent, 43 percent live with the person they care for, 72 percent report emotional stress and 51 percent report financial strain.

Massey highlighted a recently announced Medicare program he described as "Guide Grama," which he said allows qualifying community‑based organizations and area agencies on aging to bill Medicare for social supports and services for caregivers of people living with dementia. "This is a huge, huge advance," he said, characterizing the program as an important new funding pathway for nonclinical caregiver supports.

Thompson and Massey pointed to local program delivery examples: congregate dining (14 people reported served in Poquoson) and home‑delivered meals and transportation assistance for nonemergency medical trips. Thompson also noted the foundation—s fundraising capacity, citing the Give Local 757 campaign that raised more than $1,500,000 in a single day and a total of more than $37,000,000 channeled into the community since 2011.

Council members asked about housing options that enable aging in place; a councilmember asked whether first‑floor living is more widely available across the Peninsula. Massey responded that landlords are often unresponsive to apartment relocations and that stairs remain a significant barrier for many older residents.

The presentation concluded with an offer from the presenters to provide follow‑up information to council members about options and next steps. Council members thanked the presenters and said they valued the data and local examples.

The council did not take formal action on the report at the meeting; presenters offered to follow up with more information and resources.