Kentucky aiming to revamp services for elderly

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky is overhauling its elderly services with the aim of stretching resources and helping aging baby boomers remain independent. Officials are hoping more elderly residents will have the choice to live out their final years at home, rather than in an institution.

The state has struggled to keep up with demand, forcing many elderly residents to remain on waiting lists for critical programs or enter nursing homes earlier than necessary.

More than 13,000 people remain on waiting lists at the Department for Aging for meals, transportation, home-based services and caregiver services, with some applicants waiting as long as five years.

Deborah Anderson, head of the state Department for Aging and Independent Living, tells The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/1uI7Vk6) that those challenges are only expected to grow as baby boomers advance in age.

___

Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com

©2014 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.