The coming major shift in population in the next 10 years is going to seriously affect several areas of life in North Carolina.  It is expected that by 2020 all 100 counties will have more people over the age of 65 and under the age of 18.  This already occurs in Moore County.

Secretary of Health and Human Services,     Cansler, told  delegates to the Governor’s Conference on Aging that  Governor Beverly Perdue recently signed Executive Order 54 which requires all cabinet departments and related agencies to address the issue of aging in their respective jurisdictions.  The order asks that departments plan for the future by examining the changing dynamic of having an older population.  Baby Boomers are a major factor in the increase of seniors in the state, Cansler said.  “Next year 80 million boomers will be eligible for Social Security and Medicare.  We have to start planning now.”

“We are going to have a unified effort to take North Carolina where North Carolina needs to be\e,” Cansler stated.  The governor is coordinating efforts with the education system, the Dept. of State and others so that we will all be working together, he added.

“The aging of our workforce”  is very important, he continued.  Some people have to work longer to have some financial security.  Others who are retiring are leaving the workforce with a knowledge and experience gap that will severely impact the workforce.  One of the six major themes at the conference is dealing with workforce issues.  Results of the these discussions will be condensed and included in a series of policy recommendations for the governor and her cabinet.

In our November issue we will feature several aspects of the Conference on Aging.

- Ann Robson – Special to OutreachNC