Should Delaware do more to slow the influx of older adults?
Posted
Reports show that Delaware had the second-highest net in-migration rate of all U.S. states in 2024, and 35% of in-migrants in 2022 were 55 or older. How do you think that affects the state and its infrastructure? Is this a rate that needs to decrease? What steps can be taken to do so?
Are you suggesting that the government discriminate based on age? — Jonathan Contant
The higher proportion of an older demographic also drives an increased need for jobs that typically pay less than a living wage (hospitality, health care, home aids), putting further stress on recruitment challenges, given the housing affordability challenge. — Patti Drago
We need to encourage businesses to come here. Young people will go where the good-paying employment is. — Toni Davis
For some reason, our politicians haven’t figured that out! — Diane Duerr Partridge
I have a lot of thoughts on this, but first and foremost, older people in general utilize health care services more than younger people. This state does not have enough medical resources for the existing population. This is evidenced by the lack of primary care providers, the low availability of hospital beds at any given time and long emergency room wait times. These things need to be addressed, not just for new people moving here but for all of us already here. — Kathy O’Neal
I think we need to pause it all for a few years. Let us catch up with the infrastructure it takes to support all the people moving here. — Courtney Wooldridge Elkins
We have built so much, especially in Sussex County, that our wildlife doesn’t know where to go. I say we stop building new developments altogether. When the older folks leave this Earth, others can move in. I see some potential complications down the road with a large aging population. If we stop all the housing developments now, we can manage the future better. — Carrie Clements
They are trying to escape the high-tax states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Delaware is heading in that direction. Once it reaches the untenable level of those states, the influx will stop. — Kristine E. Dalton
I have to admit, being an older adult, I was kind of insulted to see a headline that basically said, “How do we keep the old people out of Delaware?” I have never been in a group that has not been wanted before. While I can appreciate the financial ramifications of an older generation, I would rather the gist of the Opinion be more geared toward how Delaware is going to welcome an older population and not imply that we are going to be a burden. If Florida and Arizona can figure it out, so can we. — Stan Sipple
