State initiative marks milestone as demographic shifts point to rapidly growing senior population

WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is marking the one-year anniversary of All Ages, All Stages NC, the state’s comprehensive plan to address the needs of its rapidly expanding aging population. To commemorate the milestone, NCDHHS’ Division of Aging has launched a “Future Self Contest” inviting students from Pre-K through 12th grade to envision their lives as older adults.

Contest Encourages Youth Engagement

The Future Self Contest asks students to submit creative works—including poetry, music, or art—that explore themes of aging, respect for older adults, and challenging age-related stereotypes. The initiative aims to empower young people to inspire positive change in their communities and foster intergenerational understanding.

Contest submissions will be accepted from Oct. 13, 2025, through Feb. 23, 2026. Winners will be announced on March 16, 2026, and will be featured on the NCDHHS Division of Aging website and honored at the Year One All Ages, All Stages NC Celebration later next year.

Responding to Demographic Transformation

NCDHHS launched All Ages, All Stages NC in September 2024 in response to significant demographic shifts. North Carolina is currently home to over 1.9 million adults aged 65 and older, with more than 49,000 adults aged 60 and over relocating to the state annually from other states or abroad.

The demographic trends are striking: By 2032, older adults will outnumber children under 18 for the first time in North Carolina’s history. Adults aged 85 and older are projected to be the fastest-growing age group over the next two decades. The state currently ranks ninth nationally in the number of residents aged 65 and older.

“Supporting all North Carolinians through all phases of life is crucial,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “With the All Ages, All Stages NC plan, we honor our commitment to the over two million North Carolinians ages 65 and older to foster and promote an enhanced quality of life.”

First-Year Accomplishments

In its inaugural year, the initiative has transitioned from planning to implementation, bringing together more than 200 partners across government, health care, housing, education, workforce, and transportation sectors. The collaborative effort focuses on four overarching goals: Supporting Older Adults and Their Families, Strengthening Communities for a Lifetime, Optimizing Health and Well-Being, and Affording Aging.

Key achievements include:

• Expansion of the NC Caregiver Portal, now supporting close to 3,000 caregivers across 98 of the state’s 100 counties
• Launch of taskforces to build an age-inclusive culture, including Ageism Awareness Day
• Implementation of North Carolina’s inaugural National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey for Aging and Disabilities
• Development of the Back in the 20s campaign, featuring videos highlighting efforts to expand long-term services, enhance caregiver resources, improve housing accessibility, and strengthen the direct care workforce

Looking Ahead

Several initiatives are currently in development. A new Financial Education Toolkit, anticipated for completion in June 2026, will help North Carolinians plan for financial stability and promote multi-generational well-being.

The state is also addressing digital accessibility through programs such as the WISEConnect Pilot, which helps older adults access local resources and strengthen social connections through technology, and the Ageless Access Digital Navigators Program, which supports digital literacy statewide.

“North Carolina’s success depends on our ability to support communities where people of every age can thrive,” said Joyce Massey-Smith, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Aging. “The early work of All Ages, All Stages NC shows what’s possible when we coordinate across sectors and take a lifespan approach to healthy aging.”

The plan’s next phase will focus on deepening local engagement, expanding data-driven decision-making, and advancing measurable outcomes through public-private partnerships.

For more information about All Ages, All Stages NC and how to get involved, visit the NCDHHS website.