Chase County as 'lifelong community'
Program is intended to meet boomer needs
By Brandy Nance
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
COTTONWOOD FALLS — Chase County has another reason to celebrate this week as it is going to be recognized as a “Lifelong Community” by the Kansas Department on Aging.
A highway sign recognizing the community as a Lifelong Community will be unveiled in a ceremony that starts at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Chase County Senior Center, 307 Broadway, Cottonwood Falls.
“Achieving this status has taken hard work on the local level,” said Secretary of Aging Kathy Greenlee. “We at KDOA helped guide and promote this project, but it has taken great collaboration among local leaders, businesses, organizations and government agencies to get the job done. With the baby boomers starting to reach retirement age, the steps they have taken will be even more appreciated in the future.”
The Lifelong Communities Initiative began in 2002. The Kansas Department on Aging asked area agencies on aging to nominate communities for the demonstration phase of the initiative. Nine communities in addition to Chase County/Cottonwood Falls were selected, including Great Bend, Dodge City, Concordia, Garden City, Hiawatha, Topeka, Oberlin and Winfield.
In order to participate, communities had to turn in a community assessment focusing in six areas that include: business, community service, government, health care, housing and transportation. An action plan had to be developed in each community to address areas that needed improvement or expansion.
Chase County’s Lifelong Communities Initiative projects included:
F One-stop health center: The Chase County Health Department and EMS Ambulance service are housed in the same building as the Sheriff’s Department to serve seniors and citizens of Chase County and Cottonwood Falls. Wellness checks such as blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks and vision and hearing screenings are some of the services offered.
F Enhanced 911 emergency system: Chase County is implementing an enhanced 911 system to respond to emergencies within the community. The system will immediately provide the address and location of the emergency. It is scheduled to be functional by February.
F Caring for the caregivers: The Golden Living Center of Chase County will provide caregiver’s training and support meetings on a monthly basis. The service provides caregivers with information on how to get additional help, support and the opportunity to rest and relax.
F Seniors Together Enjoy Physical Success (STEPS): The Kansas Department on Aging has implemented an exercise program targeted at people 60 years of age and older. This program is a part of the Healthy Kansas Initiative. Chase County has two locations for this — the Senior Center and Golden Living Center.