Bluegrass Region Forms an Aging Consortium

Mary Crawley Schmidt

As part of the third phase of the Kentucky Elder Readiness Initiative (KERI), the Bluegrass Region has formed the Bluegrass Aging Consortium. This group, which meets monthly at the Bluegrass ADD, is composed of individuals interested in issues relating to all areas of aging.

The group began as the "Vision 2000" effort initiated by the Cabinet for Families and Children and the local Adult Medical branch of the Cabinet. They disbanded for a few years but have revitalized as the pressing needs identified by KERI motivated concerned individuals to take action. Janice Austin, with UK Eldercare Program, chairs the Consortium, who has identified its mission as:
      
To respect the diversity of individuals and families, broaden perspectives, build self awareness, and develop professional skills for effective human service work. These efforts shall encompass the sharing of information, education of professionals and the community, advocacy for the health, safety and well being of aging adults, including raising public awareness to enhance the prevention of elder abuse and exploitation.

The Bluegrass Aging Consortium has five subcommittees, including Community Education, Elder Abuse Prevention, Legislative/Advocacy, the Speakers Bureau, and Health and Wellness. Membership draws from the home health industry, non-medical in-home providers, elder law specialists and geriatric case managers, the nursing home industry, advocates for nursing home reform, students, case managers, city government, adult protective services, the Area Agency on Aging, and law enforcement, to name a few.  There is also a listserv for information sharing with members.

For further information, Janice Austin can be reached at (859) 323-4600 or Jaust4@uky.edu.