PUBLIC TRANSIT AND WASHOE COUNTY SENIORS

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, AND CHOICE

Grady Tarbutton, Director

Washoe County Senior Services

2

Population growth

• 2010 60+ = 76,000• 2020 60+ = 100,000• 2030 60+ = 130,000

• By 2020, seniors 60+ years= 22% of Washoe County population

• A permanent change

3

2013 State of “Senior” Washoe County

Good news* Lower rates obesity Increased income since

2006 Self-reported physical

activity Hospitalization re-

admission rates Fewer falls Lower cost of care (Adult

Day, in-home, Assisted Living, Nursing Home)

Nursing Home admissions

Not so good* Lower life expectancy; higher

mortality rates Poverty; near poverty Poor Nutrition Medically underserved

Immunization rates; physician access, utilization

High rate of growth in health care expenditures

# Nursing Homes opened Increasing demand on

Caregivers Limited Home and Community

Based Services options* “EldersCount 2013” University of Nevada-Reno Sanford Center for Aging; February 2013

4

“2014 Master Plan for Aging Services”

• Engage Community Leaders and Policy Makers• Analysis of 2006-16 Strategic Plan• Random Survey/Community Needs Assessment• Data Analysis of Survey; focus groups• Enumerate Current Service Levels and Gap in Needs• Develop Strategies to Address Gaps; Publish

5

Early Results from 2014 “Master Plan for Aging Services”

• Status of High Risk Groups in 2013:

• Income less than $30,000 a year • 32,800 seniors (41%)

• Socially Isolated • 20,000 seniors (25%)

• Frail • 22,400 seniors (28%)

• Over 80 years of age • 13,000 seniors(16%)

6

Senior High Risk Groups will grow• Projections for 2020

• Income less than $30,000 a year • to 43,940 seniors

•Socially Isolated • to 26,792 seniors

•Frail • to 30,007 seniors

•Over 80 years of age • to 19,085 seniors

7

Senior Poverty

(EldersCount Nevada 2013; American Community Survey, 5-Year PUMS: Nevada, 2006-2010)

8

9

10

But, High Risk Seniors not aware of Services

• They are more likely to need them• Only 10% use them, today • And, are less likely to be aware of them than other seniors

• Conclusion: the gaps in services for High Risk seniors is high today, and is growing

11

Focus Groups: Greatest Gaps• Basic Needs

• Transportation, housing, food

• Information • Awareness • Advocacy

• Home and Community-based Services• In-home care

• Support for Caregivers

12

Seniors and Public Transportation

• 67% of all seniors are aware of public transit such as ACCESS

• 7% use • High risk groups are more likely to use• 48% over 80 years are not aware

13

Seniors and Driving

• Only 14% over 60 no longer drive• 33% over 80 no longer drive

• 98% who were able to drive left home in the past week; 56% seven or more times

• 83% who were not able to drive left home in the past week; 20% seven or more times

14

15

“Next Steps”

• Plan together• Comprehensive, coordinated services• Anticipate an impact on every agency, every business,

every family

• Create sponsors• Create a “Lifelong” Community• Support for families

16

If we do this well . . .

• Seniors living longer, healthier, more independent lives

• Seniors prefer living at home and will have a higher quality of life

• Support for families to provide care, longer• Delay High Risk clients’ entry into Medicaid

17

CONTACT INFO

Grady Tarbutton, Director

Washoe County Senior Services

gtarbutton@washoecounty.us

775-328-6141

Washoe County Master Plan for Aging Services website:

www.washoecounty.us/seniorsrv/MP/MasterPlan.htm