State must tackle the future of aging in Tennessee head-on | Opinion

Every state designates a single state unit on aging under the U.S. Older Americans Act of 1965. This action is required to receive grant funding and administer the various programs offered for aging adults. Tennessee’s SUA is the Commission on Aging & Disability. In 48 states the SUA is a cabinet-level department or a division of a department.   

When the network was first established in Tennessee to address the needs of aging adults, the executive director was hired by members of the commission. In 2021, I became the first executive director in our state’s history to be appointed directly by the governor, signifying Gov Bill Lee’s desire to make the aging population a priority. Much has changed since the 1960s, and more change is needed.   

The U.S. is experiencing explosive growth among the aging population. At the same time, new births are on the decrease, equating to population collapse. In simple terms, more folks need assistance as they age, yet there are fewer people available to assist. On a global scale, the population over age 65 will rise from 10% in 2022 to 16% in 2050. That's twice the number of kids under age 5. Japan by comparison has sold more adult diapers than baby diapers over the last 10 years. 

Currently, 1.6 million Tennesseans are age 60 and older. In less than 10 years, this age group will represent one-fifth of our state’s total population – the fastest growing demographic in Tennessee. In January, data released by an online moving company shows Tennessee was the top destination for those retiring outside of their home state in 2021. 

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An October 2021 report by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging found 42% of retirees rely on their Social Security benefits for a majority of their income. By age 65, the current average yearly expense on health care is over $11,000, or about three times what the average American spends during their 20s and 30s. We must encourage younger generations to save in preparation for the future. Lawmakers should look at remedies to improve financial literacy, boost health savings and promote work for the aging.  

In 2028, there will be nearly 100,000 direct care worker openings in Tennessee made up by home health aides, nursing assistants and personal care aides. 

TCAD recently began the process to institute a self-directed care model to mitigate the direct care worker shortage. While this program will improve access to care and support workers, it will not solve the workforce problem at its core. The direct care workforce merits attention and investment. Tennessee should look at educational incentives, statewide training standards and job advancement structures and improve recruitment efforts. Without a change in approach, I fear home health providers, and therefore the state, will be unable to meet the demand of this growing population. 

The governor has made tremendous progress as a champion for the aging population. We established new services for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, doubled funding for home- and community-based services and increased nutrition meal rates for providers and senior centers for the first time in a long time. All these efforts, which are pre-Medicaid services, save taxpayers’ dollars and enable our aging citizens to live at home longer so they don’t have to enter long-term care facilities.  

We have more work to do, and I look forward to joining our state, local and federal leaders as we prepare for the future. 

James Dunn is director of the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.