NC’s Multisector Plan for Aging

North Carolina is undergoing a historic demographic shift. For the first time, adults 60 and older outnumber children under 18, a reality now true in more than 88 counties. This rapid growth brings both challenges and opportunities, reshaping communities, economies and health systems. To respond, more than half of U.S. states are developing Multisector Plans for Aging and North Carolina is leading the way. Through the All Ages, All Stages NC Plan, we are moving from vision to action—implementing recommendations, building long-term resilience and inviting every North Carolinian to lend their voice and expertise to shape an age-friendly future.

Our Four Goals

The implementation of the Plan for Aging is underway. We have workgroups actively planning how to meet our four goals, with specific and prioritized recommendations. Learn more about each goal by clicking on any of the four boxes below or view a brief video on YouTube.

Data Dashboard

The dashboard below provides details on the progress of implementation of each goal. The metrics align with each of the priorities of the All Ages, All Stages plan and details the progress made for each milestone to meet the goals.

To see aging-related data and statistics, please use the holistic Data Dashboard on the Facts, Figures and Reports page. That page also has a downloadable document, NC Aging Profiles, which contains data at the county-level.

Our Goals

Tab/Accordion Items

 

  • Priority 1: Home and Community-Based Services
    • Data Modernization (ex: Replace ARMS)
    • Explore new funding streams
    • Review and optimize HCCBG
  • Priority 2: Family Caregiver Support
    • Blend federal and state funding for HCBS
    • Enhance family leave requirements and promote family-friendly workplaces
    • Explore state taxes for caregiver expenses
    • Secure funding for NC Caregiver Portal
    • Streamline caregiver referrals (211, NCCARE360)

 

  • Priority 3: Housing
    • Take executive action to address challenges
    • Increase funding for housing rehab, repair, and modification
    • Increase incentives for development and repair of housing
    • Increase income eligibility and exemption amounts for tax exemption/deferral programs
    • Encourage universal design
    • Promote aging in place
  • Priority 4: Adult Protective Services
    • Implement APS statutory changes
    • Allocate state funding to county DSS for APS
    • Establish pilot alternative protective response program
  • Priority 5: Age-friendly State and Communities
    • Assist age-friendly efforts
    • Foster culture of healthy living
    • Strengthen collaborations to address isolation
    • Address digital equity
    • Promote model healthcare programs
    • Promote innovation in transportation
    • Address challenges related to overcoming food insecurity
    • Educate on fraud prevention and consumer protection
    • Enhance 211 and NCCARE360
    • Reestablish legislative study commission on aging

 

  • Priority 6: Long-term Services and Supports
    • Convene task force to address delivery and financing
    • Educate consumers on long-term care costs
    • Address challenges  to providing continuum of LTSS
  • Priority 7: Workforce
    • Ensure skilled aging workforce
    • Support current workforce studies
    • Expand financial incentives for healthcare careers and address wage disparities
    • Expand consumer-directed options

 

  • Priority 8: Potential of All Older Adults
    • Expand employment and intergenerational opportunities
    • Promote retirement savings
    • Address ageism
    • Reduce health insurance costs
    • Explore free tuition benefits
    • Strengthen and expand volunteer engagement opportunities
    • Promote financial literacy and awareness of benefits/services
    • Reestablish and expand PREPARE pre-retirement program

 

By the Numbers

2.8M

Residents 65+ by 2042

Up from 1.9 M in 2022

1.28M

Family Caregivers

Providing essential, unpaid support

88

Counties with More 65+ than Under 18

Communities are already aging

The growing number of older NC residents will continue to reshape our neighborhoods, economy, workforce, health systems and infrastructure. In 2023, the former Governor Roy Cooper recognized the situation and issued an executive order to initiate a multisector plan – so the state can be better prepared for its future.

Executive Order 280
Multisector Plan Introduction
Collective Impact Visual

Get Involved

Every person, agency, organization and community partner have a place in this work. Let us know where you see synergy - we can help you plug in and scale your impact. Keep us informed on how your local community is helping move North Carolina to a thriving future. If you’d like to join a workgroup or share your thoughts, please send an email to Divya.Venkataganesan@dhhs.nc.gov or Caylee.Weaver@dhhs.nc.gov 

To stay informed, take a brief survey below to receive email newsletters with regular updates and invitations to upcoming webinars.

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