Caring for the Community: Advocate for the Aging

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

Across the nation, the number of individuals over the age of 65 has steadily increased. As a result, the demand for more aging-related services and support has surged. To prepare for this shift, Henrico County created a position to serve this demographic: an Advocate for the Aging. The Advocate for the Aging strives to fulfill the needs of Henrico County’s aging population by enhancing social engagement, wellness, and independence. This role has been a tremendous asset for our aging population, by participating in over 100 community outreach events since 2016, creating 42 educational events with a 50 percent increase in participation from 2016 to 2017, and partnering with over 80 different organizations. Perhaps more intangible, but no less powerful, is the personal impact the program has had on individuals within the Henrico community. From finding a contractor to volunteer his time to remove a dying tree from an older resident’s property to getting two new hearing aids donated to another, the Advocate for the Aging has made a tremendous difference for older people who call Henrico County home.