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Rappahannock Rapidan Elder care Coalition holds forum

Date Added: 03-06-2005

There was a large turn out at the Rappahannock Rapidan Eldercare Coalition's Forum held at the Washington Volunteer Fire Department last Wednesday. With people still streaming in five minutes after the program began, almost every chair was filled.

Forum moderator, Jenny Millan of Sperryville, welcomed the crowd and stressed the unique personality of each county.

 
County administrator John McCarthy addressed the crowd saying, "What you have to say today is more important than anything I have to say."

McCarthy explained that the pace at which the average age continues to increase is rising dramatically and the county has to make sure the services it provides meets the maximum needs of residents. "These service needs are going to grow and grow and the question is how are we going to respond to them? What you are doing here today is helping your local government and you are going to give us the answers," concluded McCarthy.

Sallie Morgan, Director of Community Support Services for the Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services Board, gave a power point presentation to the crowd on the need for long term care.

"This is to start what will be an ongoing conversation," said Morgan who stressed the increasing population of people over 60 is not just an issue for Rappahannock County or the United States, but is a global issue. "In just ten years spending on the elderly will total nearly $1.8 trillion, almost half the federal budget. That is up from 29 percent in 1990 and 35 percent in 2000," according to New Brookings Institution and Congressional Budget Office projections. Morgan stated the age 60 and over population of our region (Fauquier, Culpeper, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock counties) will more than double by 2020.

"The question is, how do we work together to make a difference here?" said Morgan who added while Medicare and Medicaid are important, there is also a lot that can be done to provide support on a local level.

Small group discussions

After the presentation the audience was broken into groups and asked to answer three questions:

"In what ways is Rappahannock County a good place to grow old?"

"What are the most serious challenges you or your loved ones face as you age here?"

"What can and/or should be done, now or in the future, to address these challenges?"

For More Information:

http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab4.cfm?newsid=14627581&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506086&rfi=6