Retirees and older adults help drive WNC in multiple ways, according to Associate State Director of AARP’s NC Mountain Region Rebecca Chaplin. Populations of retirees create a need for healthcare and other support structures that bring businesses and jobs to communities. Retirees are assets to their communities, bringing knowledge, experience, and resources to the region while contributing to the local economy.

Retirees also bring value to communities and states as advocates. They have the knowledge and the passion to advocate for things they believe in at the government level, and a large advocating body can lead to significant changes in communities.

Much of AARP’s local work is developing systems and structures encouraging communities to recognize age as a resource, according to Chaplin. Ageism and stigmas associated with aging have been seen in many communities and in many workplaces. Much of the work being done by AARP and partner organizations is intended to educate individuals at different levels of government, nonprofits, and private businesses on the ways the increasing number of older adults can be viewed as an opportunity.

“All Ages, All Stages NC: A Roadmap for Aging and Living Well” is a statewide initiative, and there are members from AARP WNC who sit on the statewide task force. The initiative was spearheaded by the NC Department of Health and Human Services with a mission to improve the lives of older adults by providing helpful resources and assistance. AARP partnered with NCDHHS to help support the action plan and the survey process; currently, portions of the initiative are commencing.

“There is a concern that when we change governors, this will become a reduced priority,” Chaplin said. “So much work has gone into this, and we would hate to lose all the momentum, work, and awareness-building that is happening.”

The initiative plans to address topics including access to affordable aging, optimizing health and well-being, strengthening communities for a lifetime, and supporting older adults and their families. There are multiple recommendations to achieve each objective, and they are all interrelated.

“It’s housing, transportation, and access to healthcare — all those things that we often think of,” Chaplin said. “It’s also civic engagement, social connections, and communication; the social determinants of health that are priorities of this initiative.”

Nationwide, as people increasingly desire to age in place, the two largest concerns for older adults are transportation and affordable housing. Accessible housing is also imperative, meaning the house is designed to accommodate changing physical abilities, with universal design and handicap access. 

In WNC, the cost of housing has increased, as it has in many communities across the country. The unique challenge posed in the state’s mountainous region is proximity to amenities. To find affordable housing, people often have to reside farther from metropolitan areas and town centers. Compounded with rural areas’ lack of transportation services, access to services as people age can be a concern.

“AARP and other organizations advocate for an interesting solution around these types of housing challenges,” Chaplin said. “It’s for the reduced regulations of accessory dwelling units, making it easier for people that have a small footprint to have an extra dwelling on their property which they can rent for extra income, or to have a loved one living on the same property, creating easy access for caregiving.”

Education and outreach are also key components of AARP’s community outreach mission. Chaplin helps coordinate volunteers who host events and teach classes on topics like health and financial security, and helps equip them to be successful in their work. The advocacy component across local, state, and federal governments involves volunteers as well. They develop relationships which can create influence at various levels, as well as communicating information between members and government officials.

Surveys conducted by AARP help to develop solutions for municipalities and the intersection between aging and community planning. Determining the community’s role in supporting older adults has shown potential economic gains by taking good care of older adults while diminishing strains on caregivers who may also be members of the community’s workforce.

The challenges around supporting the increasing aging population inherently provide opportunities for businesses to be created and expand. Helping bridge transportation issues by making access to services like Uber or Lyft easier could be lucrative with a bit of creativity. Programs providing pick-up and drop-off services for health appointments, creativity classes, or adult day care that also offer their clients assistance with preparing for the outing and settling back in upon their return can support adults and cost far less than living in a full-time care facility.

“As the population of retirees and older adults continues to increase, it’s important to elevate the awareness about how this growing population can benefit communities,” Chaplin said. “There may be some challenges, but older adults are a resource to our community in a variety of ways.”