Vol 30, No. 6, #10. Resources for Older and Disabled Adults in Wyoming.

• Author: Author: Beverly J. Morrow

Wyoming Bar Journal

2007.

Vol 30, No. 6, #10.

Resources for Older and Disabled Adults in Wyoming

Wyoming Bar JournalVol 30, No. 6, #10Issue: December, 2007Author: Beverly J. MorrowResources for Older and Disabled Adults in WyomingThose who work in the field of services for older and disabled adults frequently hear the comment, "I didn't know we have a program like that here!" Public education about, and awareness of, available resources is one of the great challenges faced by government agencies and service providers in our state. Wyoming is fortunate to have an array of services in place that can be very valuable to people with special needs and their families, but many people still don't know much about them, or how to access them.

The Aging Division of the Wyoming Department of Health serves as a focal point for the aging network by administering, through grants to local service providers, the state and federal funding it receives. These funds make it possible to develop and maintain a comprehensive network of services to meet the needs of our older population, as well as adults with disabilities. Since Wyoming is one of the most rapidly "aging" states in the country, there is a clear challenge for the future to use resources in the most effective way to meet the changing needs of a growing and diverse population of elders and adults with disabilities.

The overarching mission of the aging and disabled network of services is to provide a flexible and responsive continuum of services to ensure that people have the opportunity to age with dignity, have choices in managing their own lives, and remain as healthy, active and independent as possible within their communities. Accomplishing this mission requires a broad network of quality providers of home and community-based care for older persons and their caregivers. It also requires a population that is knowledgeable about available services, health issues and options, their rights and responsibilities, and how to access assistance.

Most of the service programs for older persons in Wyoming receive funding/payment through the Aging Division. The Aging Division program managers and other staff work closely with community providers throughout the state.

The Population Is Aging

Due to a number of interesting demographic factors in the state, Wyoming's population is aging...