DENVER – Colorado state lawmakers are preparing for a “silver tsunami” as the state grapples with an aging population.
A package of bills was highlighted Tuesday that aims to address the aging population, while protecting seniors from abuse and providing retirement security.
Health workers said part of the issue is providing a stable job market, suggesting that wages should be raised for health-care professionals who assist the elderly.
Ethel Ayo, a home health-care worker who is employed by Colorado Assisted Living, said she would like to see her wage raised to $15 per hour. She currently is paid slightly more than $9 per hour.
“It’s not enough to make ends meet,” Ayo said. “My family and I depend on each other, otherwise we wouldn’t make it. I depend on my adult children to survive, and I’m not alone, there’s many more just like me.”
Lawmakers are pushing four pieces of legislation that they hope will address the aging population in Colorado:
House Bill 1033, sponsored by Rep. Dianne Primavera, D-Broomfield, would establish a study group to examine and identify issues facing the state as a result of its aging population.
House Bill 1235, sponsored by Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, would establish a task force to specifically study retirement security and factors that affect Coloradans’ ability to save for the future.
House Bill 1018, sponsored by Rep. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, aims to protect seniors from abuse by adding additional mandatory reporters in the state.
House Bill 1242, also sponsored by Danielson, would require hospitals to offer patients the chance to designate a caregiver within 24 hours after the patient is admitted to the hospital and before the patient’s release.
“We have the ‘silver tsunami’ coming, and we really need to address these issues,” Pettersen said.
The ratio of working adults to seniors will drop by one-third in 15 years.