Peter Theisen introduced today’s program, the “The Aging Well Initiative”, presented by Heather Flaherty, the Executive Director of the Chuckanut Health Foundation (CHF). Flaherty was joined in the presentation by two collaborators, Ryan Blackwell and Lara Welker.
Ms. Flaherty spoke briefly about the history and mission of the Chuckanut Health Foundation. It is a rebranded outgrowth of the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation, and she follows Sue Sharpe as the ED. Over the years the CHF has studied and provided leadership to the Whatcom County community in several areas, such as children’s issues and palliative care. The recent Aging Well Initiative focuses on issues affecting older folks, those in the time of life before life’s end (age 60 – 74 years), generally the aged but pre-palliative population.
The Initiative has studied issues that affect the target population in eight domains; (i) community and health care, (ii) transportation, (iii) housing, (iv) social participation, (v) outdoor spaces and buildings, (vi) respect and social inclusion, (vii) civic participation and (viii) employment and communication and information. Population demographic data were reviewed, housing availability was reviewed, and specific areas of interest and concern were determined by surveying folks in the focus age group. With this information the Initiative developed conclusions about the situation in Whatcom County and what should be addressed further by the community.
Ryan Blackwell presented population demographics detail for Whatcom County. There are about 54K persons aged 60 or older in the County, representing about 24% of the County population. Relative to the State, the County has fewer people ages 25 – 59, but more in the 60 – 74 age group. Of interest to the current COVID virus situation, the majority of cases and deaths have been among the older population. Data in several categories within the 60 – 74 years were presented. For example, about 9% of the group are minority, 9% are at or below the Federal Poverty limit and 21% have disabilities.
Lara Welker summarized data on the congregate housing situation for aged folks. Currently there are 9 skilled nursing and 17 assisted living facilities, 24 adult family homes, 5 independent-living retirement and 9 retirement communities and 16 rent-restricted apartment complexes. Not surprisingly, most of these are in Bellingham. With the aged population growing, there might be a shortage of congregate housing the in the future.
The final task of the Initiative was to survey and hold listening sessions with some 300 area folks in the 60 – 74 age group. Three key questions asked were; what is important to you, what are the challenges or concerns for you and what programs and services could be added or changed? In terms of importance five themes emerged; (i) interaction, relationships and connection, (ii) family, (iii) health, (iv) health care and (v) housing. Perhaps surprisingly, the interactions theme was of most concern. In the challenges area, medical conditions and health care topped the list. In terms of things to be added or changed, programs and services were of greatest concern. With this information, 6 focus areas for future study and work and have emerged and will be addressed: cultural shift, information and navigation, intergenerational community, housing, transportation and welless and healthcare.
Further detail of the Initiative studies and information about the Chuckanut Health Foundation can be found on their Web site, www.AgingWellWhatcom.org.
Finally, a few remarks were presented by Dr. Gary Goldfogel about the COVID-19 situation in the County. There have been no deaths in the past few days. There are no patients on ventilators at the hospital (the hospital is only 28% occupied) and testing for the virus is becoming easier. Gary does not believe the antibody tests now available are reliable and are not worth getting. He recommends we continue social distancing and is optimistic that the health aspects of the pandemic in Whatcom County will slowly improve.
COVID–19 Information that Came to the Tattler Reporter after the Club meeting.
Club member Dr. Garrett Jeffery provided postscript comments on the COVID-19 situation. He agrees with the Goldfogel assessments and notes: “Any symptomatic person can now be tested if their provider orders the test.” “There are other medical conditions that can result in death and it is very important to seek appropriate health care, even despite the epidemic”. Finally, “I want to reiterate that it is very apparent we are all learning as we go.” He discussed how to think about the data being collected and scenarios as to what could happen in the future. Here is Dr. Jeffery's comments
