Some senior care providers in the Valley are all ears after the gubernatorial candidates announced their plans to address the aging population at Monday night's debate.

While projections show an increase statewide, providers in the Valley say the local elderly population is already higher than the state average and growing quickly.

Virginia's elderly population is currently at 14 percent, and it's expected to rise to 20 percent by 2020.

By 2030, projections show Virginia's population will resemble Florida's.

Home Instead Senior Care serves the elderly population in the Valley and across Virginia. Manager Don Wells says he's happy the candidates for governor are addressing such an important topic.

"I think it's very important, and it's probably maybe past due a little bit. Cause there's a lot of catch up, I think, that has to be done," says Don.

Home Instead owner Patricia Wells says she was thrilled to hear the candidates plans.

"This is about us building an infrastructure so we're prepared. And we need to be prepared, because ten years is going to happen very quickly," says Patricia.

When asked about Republican Bob McDonnell's plan to double tax credits for those with long-term care insurance, she says, while it's a great idea, a lot of seniors don't have long-term care insurance.

"So why not look at tax credits not only for long-term care insurance, but for other areas," says Patricia.

Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds proposed better transportation for all citizens. Patricia says that's huge, because seniors need to be able to go to the doctor or pick up their medications.

"Is there a method of transportation in all of the three counties that we serve? The answer is really no. So we need to be addressing these issues not only for seniors, but for the population," says Patricia.

While Patricia thinks all the ideas the candidates listed at Monday's debate are important, there's still much more to be done.

"Let's just put all of that together now. And they didn't have the plan, but they had the focus and a specific area they wanted to address. Now the next step is the awareness on the part of everyone to say, 'Okay, we need, let's be proactive,'" says Patricia.

Patricia says the issue isn't being addressed because it's not an immediate need.

However, she says local governments need to put this on the radar now and make it a priority so they can start addressing the needs of the communities.