The Southwest King County League of Women Voters and Washington State Senior Citizens’ Lobby are hosting a legislative candidate forum dedicated to aging policy issues and Washington’s readiness to meet the needs of the growing numbers of seniors in the state.

The free forum will run from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5 at the Federal Way library, meeting room 1, at 34200 First Way S. Candidates who are committed to attend include: Rep. Carol Gregory, D-Federal Way and challenger Teri Hickel (R), who are running for the 30th District seat, position two.

Washington is facing a massive shift in the senior demographic that will affect infrastructure at all levels. In 2009, people age 65 and over represented 11.7 percent of Washington’s population — this is expected to increase to 19.8 percent by 2030. Washington state’s population over 85 is expected to double by 2030, according to the lobby.

Declining revenue at the state level has forced deep cuts in Medicaid long-term services and supports programs, including reductions to home care, information and assistance and senior support programs at the same time as need for these services are increasing. The aging of the baby boom also puts increase pressure on paid and unpaid caregivers. It is estimated that Washington state will need an additional 440,000 paid home care workers between now and 2030 to meet the rising need for long-term services.