WHEREAS, the Virginia population of adults aged 65 and older will increase from 1.3 million in 2017 to 1.9 million in 2040, a 51% increase; and,

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that nearly 70% of the people who reach the age of 65 will ultimately need some form of long-term service and support; and,

WHEREAS, the nation will need 2.5 million long-term service and support workers by 2030 to keep up with the growth of America’s aging population; and,

WHEREAS, Virginia is experiencing a significant shortage of, and a growing demand for, qualified workers who are capable of managing, supervising, and providing high-quality services and support for older adults; and,

WHEREAS, the long-term service and support field offers a wide variety of employment opportunities, including nursing, social work, culinary, recreation, communication, finance, administration, human resources, and information technology; and,

WHEREAS, in many communities, long-term service and support providers constitute the largest source of employment; and,

WHEREAS, working with Virginia’s older adults in long-term service and support can provide an intellectually and emotionally satisfying and meaningful career;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize April 17-23, 2022 as CAREERS IN AGING WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.