PHOENIX (AP) -- Census figures indicate that by 2020, one in four Arizonans is expected to be older than 60.

That has state officials worried there may not be enough workers in the future.

Melanie Starns, Gov. Janet Napolitano's policy adviser on aging, said the possibility of shortages of workers in health care and other fields could lead to significant societal problems.

"As you get older, you may need to work or just want to work," says Starns, executive director of the Governor's Office on Aging. "But you may not want to do the same thing you've been doing for 30 years."

To avoid a potential worker shortage, Arizona launched its Mature Work Force Initiative in 2005.

Arizona was one of five states recognized last month for efforts to engage people 50 and older in meaningful jobs and community service.

The San Francisco-based Civic Ventures think tank also cited California, Maryland, New York and Massachusetts for recognizing that older workers are an experience dividend, rather than a drain on resources.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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