As director of the Pennyrile Development District’s Area Agency on Aging & Independent Living, Jill Collins has considerable insight on south western Kentucky’s oldest populous.
Tuesday afternoon in front of the Cadiz Rotary Club, she shared some of this wisdom, and identified several services provided by PADD and its arms to Trigg County and its local citizens.
She called aging “a gift,” and something that impacts all families “in some way.”
The Trigg County Senior Center — one of nine under PADD’s authority — and the Pennyrile Allied Community Services are among those helping the AAAIL satiate elder needs. These are associates, she said, making life for those 60-and-older less stressful and more fulfilling for individuals, families and friends.
And proving more necessary by the day.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the Commonwealth had an estimated 925,000 people, or 21%, aged 60-and-older within its ranks. By 2030, that’s expected to increase nearly 250,000 — due mostly to improved healthcare.
Currently in Trigg County, more than 1,000 people are between the ages of 65 and 69 alone, and more than 23% of the population is 65 and older. As one of the nation’s strongest retirement communities, that’s not expected to ebb anytime soon.
In fact, in Trigg County’s fiscal year 2023, AAAIL data indicates:
— 19 clients needed transportation for 1,296 one-way trips;
— 218 clients were served 12,012 congregate meals;
— 78 clients were served 2,838 curbside meals;
— 121 clients were provided 14,263 home-delivered meals;
— 193 clients were given 2,635 emergency meals;
— 55 clients received more than 1,800 hours of homemaking services;
— Seven clients sought around 190 hours of personal care services;
— 117 clients worked through 272 hours of case assessment;
— 92 clients worked through 800 hours of case management.
— and 12 clients dealt with more than 700 units of Title IIID health promotion and disease prevention.
Or in shorter terms: Trigg County needs these services on a consistent, and reliable, basis.
One unnamed Trigg County veteran, she said, is also receiving special services through the VA and a directed care option.
Another unique service that’s been refitted in Kentucky: the Family Caregiver Program.
As previously reported, more people are now eligible to receive benefits if they are fully responsible for the raising of their grandchildren. All 15 of the state’s ADD agencies can now participate, and that’s due to a significant increase in federal dollars and Commonwealth appropriations.
Collins said it was a program that, at one point, was “on the back-burner” due to budget cuts. However, its return came due to great demand.
Drugs and incarceration aren’t the only reason it’s happening, Collins added, but it’s becoming more and more prevalent. And while the program regulations do allow for grandparents of any age to take part, one major stipulation must be met.
Neither parent can be in the home.
Those with questions about PADD and AAAIL services can E-mail: jill.collins@ky.gov, or phone PADD at (270) 886-9484.
