Transportation, financial security among other concerns for elderly
By Erin McIntyre
Thursday, August 24, 2017
A lack of psychiatric services, geriatricians and health care providers who will accept Medicare and Medicaid, as well as a shortage of affordable housing for senior citizens, topped the list of concerns voiced by participants at the first Colorado Conversations on Aging meeting in the state held Thursday.
About 60 attendees met in Grand Junction and discussed a variety of issues, including transportation, caregiving, financial security and health, with the idea that these concerns and potential solutions for problems the state faces with its rapidly aging population will be considered by those charged with advising lawmakers.
The conversations are a way for anyone who is concerned about aging issues to share ideas and concerns with members of the state Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging, which was tasked by the Legislature with making recommendations to elected officials regarding age-related issues.
Several of the participants voiced concerns that the region does not have enough mental health providers for the aging population, and that the services that exist are not meant to provide the daily care that elderly patients require and would receive in a skilled nursing facility such as a nursing home.
Melissa Latham, administrator of Larchwood Inns, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, said her focus group prioritized mental health needs because many times patients who have multiple diagnoses including dementia, coupled with behavioral issues, don’t have a local option for placement and must go elsewhere.
A lack of mental health resources in Mesa County has been an ongoing issue for the community. Only one 32-bed psychiatric facility, West Springs Hospital, exists to serve the entire Western Slope, and it is not focused on long-term care for elderly patients.
The next Colorado Conversations on Aging meeting will be held in Frisco on Sept. 13. Three other meetings are scheduled this year in Pueblo, Fort Morgan and Denver. All the comments gathered at the meetings will be considered by the planning group, which will make recommendations to legislators.
Anyone is invited to share comments or concerns about how Colorado should be meeting the needs of the aging population and other aging issues by emailing agingstrategy@state.co.us. Visit colorado.gov/agingstrategy for more information.