Latest news with #NewMexicoAgingServices
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NM aging department to incorporate public response into latest state plan
New Mexico's aging department will incorporate public response into its latest state plan. (Photo courtesy of New Mexico Aging Services) Public comment closes Friday on New Mexico's aging department's long-term plan, which outlines goals to address the state's growing senior population and their needs. The Aging and Long-Term Services Department opened public comment in April for its draft plan, which includes three overarching goals: administering home and community programs to help seniors age in place and support caregivers; responding to social determinants of health such as food and housing insecurity, access to services and social support; and reducing instances of abuse, neglect and exploitation while preserving the autonomy of seniors. The public comment period included a survey in which participants were asked to rank how they would prioritize the three goals, how well the plan addresses their needs and how successful they believe the plan will be, along with an opportunity to provide suggestions for improving the proposed plan. 'We have received meaningful feedback from across the state—including organizations, direct service providers, senior participants, and community members—and it's clear that New Mexicans care deeply about how we support our aging population,' ALTSD Deputy Cabinet Secretary Angelina Flores-Montoya told Source NM in a written statement. She said the department will incorporate the feedback into the final plan, 'which will influence our work now and in the years to come.' The draft plan was informed by a needs assessment conducted by the Center for Applied Research and Analysis at the University of New Mexico's Institute for Social Research. The department contracted with the center in fiscal year 2023 and released a report in September 2024 identifying six key findings and six recommendations. Researchers gathered information from focus groups in five New Mexico communities, as well as surveys completed by service providers throughout the state. U.S. Census data and other state collected data were also used. Findings included: New Mexico's aging population has 'grown significantly,' as have metrics of vulnerability such as poverty and disability; older adults and service providers describe service deserts without access to transportation and medical supportive services; providers note lack of funding, personnel and training are 'critical barriers;' and rural and urban areas differ in vulnerabilities. The report suggested the aging department expand services to meet growing needs; plan for a growing aging population and expanded service requirements; improve public outreach; address workforce shortages; complete a statewide services inventory; and implement a statewide consumer survey. These findings are reflected in the current draft plan, which members of the public have had a chance to comment on. According to the draft, the plan is set to go into effect in October 2024. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Mexico Aging Services asks for feedback on 2025 to 2029 aging plan
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — New Mexico Aging Services has released a draft version of the State Plan on Aging for 2025 to 2029. Now, the organization wants to hear from caregivers, advocates, older adults and community members. These movies and shows were filmed in Las Vegas. Have you seen them? The draft can be viewed below: To provide your feedback, you can take place in an online survey by May 15. Key components of the draft include three outlined goals: 'Administer core programs that enable older New Mexicans to remain in their residence and community through the availability of and access to high-quality home and community services and support, including supports for families and caregivers.' 'Respond to social determinants of health, including food and housing security, social support and connection, employment and meaningful engagement, and access to information and health services.' 'Reduce occurrences of abuse, neglect and exploitation while improving outcomes in communities and long-term care settings and preserving the rights and autonomy of older New Mexicans.' You can learn more about New Mexico Aging Services online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NM Aging department commits to helping seniors age ‘in place' and ‘autonomously' in new draft plan
The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department released its draft 2025-2029 Plan on Aging, committing the department to assisting seniors retain their autonomy. (Photo courtesy of New Mexico Aging Services) As New Mexico's population of seniors continues to grow, the state's aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers. The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department released a draft of its 2025-2029 State Plan on Aging on Thursday and is receiving feedback from the public and stakeholders through May 15. The document states that it is expected to go into effect in October 2025. The plan details three goals to help New Mexicans age in place and reduce instances of abuse and neglect, including: administering programs to support seniors aging in their own homes, as well as their caregivers; responding to 'social determinants of health,' such as food security, housing security and access to healthcare; and reducing instances of abuse, neglect and exploitation in the state while also preserving seniors' autonomy. According to the previous plan, more than 377,700 New Mexicans were 65 and older in 2018. This number grew to more than 391,200 in 2020 and is projected to grow by 122% by 2030, meaning more than 475,600 New Mexicans will be 65 and over. The current draft plan states that New Mexico is currently the 13th state in the U.S. with the highest percentage of population falling into this age category. 'In the past five years a lot has changed including the growth of our aging population and increased needs such as transportation access and caregiver support,' an unattributed written statement from the aging department to Source NM reads. 'The new plan strives to address these changing needs including standing up new programs like New MexiCare that support family and friend caregivers.' The New MexiCare program provides caregivers with financial and training support to then help aging New Mexicans remain in their own homes. The program is currently available in 31 of the state's 33 counties, excepting Doña Ana and Bernalillo counties, but aging department representatives have said previously the goal is to eventually expand the program into those counties as well. The department also noted in its statement that only an estimated 22% of the 60 and older population receive services such as home-delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation, case management, adult day care, respite services and homemaker services – all of which fall under the Older Americans Act Title III services and are provided by the Area Agencies on Aging in the state. 'The advocacy responsibilities remain a quintessential aspect of the work that ALTSD engages in daily,' the statement reads. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kinship program will begin after rulemaking this summer
About 36,000 New Mexico children were raised by their grandparents or other next-of-kin in 2023. (Photo courtesy of New Mexico Aging Services) Kinship caregivers in approximately half a dozen counties will be part of a new pilot program expected to start this summer designed to help support older New Mexicans and other relatives who take over raising children when parents are unable to do so. That program is a result of House Bill 252, which establishes the Kinship Caregiver Support Pilot program, signed last week by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Joey Long, a spokesperson for the Aging and Long-Term Services Department, told Source NM that the department does not anticipate services starting before the beginning of the next fiscal year, which begins in July. The process will also include a 30-day public comment period. According to the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation, about 36,000 New Mexico children were raised by grandparents or other next of kin in 2023 – an increase from about 30,000 in 2017. The bill states that the pilot program will be established in five to seven counties in the state with 50 participants chosen in each county. A previous version of the bill identified Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, Taos, McKinley and Doña Ana counties as communities participating in the program, but the specific counties were struck from the final version of the bill. Long told Source in a written statement that the department is 'assessing geographic areas based on data, stakeholder consultations, and availability of private funding to support participant stipends, as well as other considerations' before choosing communities to participate. Program participants will eventually be connected to case management assistance, legal assistance, mental health support and respite care. 'Too often kinship caregivers—especially grandparents—are left to navigate complex systems alone while providing childcare,' Kaltenbach said in a statement. 'This pilot program will help us establish more resources to help keep families together and ensure caregivers have the support they need to provide the best care possible.' The program is a three-year pilot, meaning the state will evaluate the outcomes of all participants to help create a possible statewide program in future years. An annual report with outcomes and recommendations is due each December to the Legislative Finance Committee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
