Michigan turns to the future

From the State of Michigan Office of the Governor - "Michigan’s population is rapidly aging. Already, residents 50 and older make up 37 percent of the state’s population. By 2025 – 10 years ahead of the national projection – Michigan residents 65 and older will outnumber those younger than 18."

Any one that has followed me or read any of my articles over the last few months know I went from Wenzel to Sunrise PACE.

As I started the new job and dug into the demographics, this future that the State of Michigan has begun to address was abundantly clear.

1. I wrote recently about how my first 30 days had gone. I had three take always: #1. I trusted myself // #2. I picked something out of my comfort zone. // #3. I picked a place where I believed in the leadership.

The creation of this new Agency, "...Health and Aging Services Administration within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). 

The newly-established agency will provide more coordinated services to Michigan's growing aging population by combining the former MDHHS Aging and Adult Services Agency and Medical Services Administration under one umbrella within MDHHS.

Michigan's Medicaid Office is also part of the new Health and Aging Services Administration." , solidified #1 for me.

What does this mean for all of us?

It means governments at all levels are beginning to re-organize around some of the obvious demographic trends. "Michigan has more than 2 million adults over age 60, nearly 25% of the state's population. Michiganders 85 and older remains the fastest-growing age group and 37% of Michigan residents are 50 and older. 

The change allows for increased coordination between aging services teams in local communities and in-house employees who are responsible for developing policies, as well as improved analysis of processes and results, and expanded capacity across programs and services.  "