Why is this important?
The percentage of older adults in Calhoun County is expected to continue to grow. The occurrence of chronic disease among older adults is also very high in our county. The cost of care for those with chronic disease is disproportionately higher than those who maintain their health and have fewer chronic conditions. A key aspect of impacting older adult health is prevention of chronic conditions including those impacted by lifestyle choices.
The percentage of older adults in Calhoun County is expected to continue to grow. The occurrence of chronic disease among older adults is also very high in our county. The cost of care for those with chronic disease is disproportionately higher than those who maintain their health and have fewer chronic conditions. A key aspect of impacting older adult health is prevention of chronic conditions including those impacted by lifestyle choices.
Chronic conditions and poor older adult health impacts life expectancy, level of independence, and quality of life. This impact is felt throughout our community – economically, socially and within the established social structures that make up our community.an individual experiences barriers to housing, the ability to lead a healthy, productive life is severely affected.
Approximately 31% of Calhoun County seniors reported feeling lonely
—2019 Senior Needs Survey
—2019 Senior Needs Survey
GOALS
Goal 1: Reduce occurrence and impact of isolation on the health and independence of seniors
Objective 1.1: Improve sustainability and access to senior centers and senior center activities
Objective 1.2: Promote opportunities for volunteerism and ongoing community engagement among seniors
Goal 2: Enhance the physical and mental well-being of older adults
Objective 2.1: Promote participation in evidenced based programs that contribute to health and wellbeing of older adults and caregivers
Objective 2.2: Increase awareness and access to supportive services for persons with dementia and their caregivers
Objective 2.3: Assure greater access and improved delivery of long-term care supports and services for caregivers and seniors
Objective 2.4: Improve effectiveness of resource navigation and information and assistance, especially in rural and underserved areas to improve access and utilization of services for caregivers, persons with dementia and older adults
Goal 3: Older and/or vulnerable adults live free from abuse, neglect and exploitation
Objective 3.1: Increase awareness of occurrence of elder abuse
Objective 3.2: Improve capacity of community to respond to abuse situations including increased reporting and prosecution of abusers and education of the community so as to increase protective factors for vulnerable adults
What the data say:
- Alzheimer’s disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death for older adults in Calhoun County.
- Average life expectancy for seniors in Calhoun County beyond age 65 years is 4.4 years less in Calhoun County than in other areas of the country.
- Calhoun County has a higher rate of occurrence of multiple chronic conditions among older adults and a higher rate of mortality for all causes than other areas of Michigan.
Significantly worse than the overall value
No significant difference with the overall value
No data on significance available
Older Adult Indicators
42.3%
This indicator shows the percentage of men aged 65 and older who received recommended clinical preventive services during the past year.
This includes: an influenza vaccination in the past year; a PPV ever; and either a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within the past year, a sigmoidoscopy within the past 5 years and a FOBT within the past 3 years, or a colonoscopy within the past 10 years.
Data on all services in the core set are not available every year given the rotating core questions on BRFSS. The indicator should not be assumed to cover all recommended clinical preventives services for this age group.
