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50+ Action Plan: Engaged Older Adults Benefit Us All

Fulfilling opportunities for engagement will ensure a vibrant community.

The growing number of older adults means the growth of a significant pool of talent in our community – as employees, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and community activists.

The job growth in Fairfax County is expected to out-pace labor force growth during the next two decades. Within Fairfax County government, almost one in four employees will be eligible to retire within the next five years. Many boomers plan to continue working. Many are interested in non-traditional work arrangements such as part-time work with benefits, project work rather than permanent employment, and greater flexibility for pursuing other interests. Some are interested in becoming entrepreneurs.

Volunteers are essential to many county programs and community service organizations. While more volunteers are clearly needed, it is not yet evident whether boomers will be as willing to volunteer as the older adults who preceded them. Recruitment and retention of boomers may require new approaches, more options for time commitments, benefits and incentives, and new and challenging opportunities.

 

Actions

• Make Fairfax County government a model for recruitment and retention of talented older workers.
  
  
• Support initiatives to recruit boomers and older adults into volunteering such as Ventures in Volunteering, the recent multi-department recruitment events held at public libraries.
  
  
• Encourage intergenerational opportunities in both employment and volunteering.
  
  
• Expand communication about opportunities to learn and contribute in the community.
  
  
• Promote community leadership training for older adults and encourage incubator support for retirees interested in starting small businesses that address unmet community needs.
  
  
• Ensure full participation of older adults in decision-making initiatives for the full range of community planning activities such as transportation, housing, and community revitalization.