The number of elderly Americans is growing. According to the National Institute of Health, it will actually double in the next 25 years, from 40 to 80 million—people aged 62 and older. N-I-H predicts a “profound” impact on the economy.
Kansas 36th District Senator Allen Schmidt/(D)-Hays, agrees. Thursday morning he addressed the 13th annual Western Kansas AARP Summit at the Hays Fanchon Ballroom, and outlined five challenges the state needs to meet.
Schmidt talked about the need for strong community programs in Kansas, more preventative health and early intervention actions to reduce acute medical care costs, keeping rural senior centers open, organized advocacy groups addressing seniors’ issues, and caring enough to look out for each other.