Ideas, Opinions and Input on Older Resident Needs Sought

From the Wyoming Department of Health

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is seeking ideas, opinions and other input on the needs of Wyoming’s older adults and their care partners to recognize their challenges and set strategies to meet those challenges.

The Aging Division, part of WDH, is gathering information to help develop its “Wyoming Four-Year State Plan on Aging for 2021-25.” This plan is essential for federal funding of Wyoming support programs for older adults, but also provides a statewide strategy to help organizations understand how best to help older adult residents.

“Prior research has identified the preference of people to continue living in their homes and communities as they age rather than transition to nursing homes or assisted living facilities,” said Jeff Clark, Community Living Section manager with WDH. “As we work on this plan, one thing we want to do is evaluate the state’s capacity to support these goals while also upholding necessary nursing homes and assisted living facilities.”

Clark said comments from a variety of residents will be valuable and encouraged interested residents and healthcare providers to participate. “While we welcome everyone’s comments, we are especially interested in comments from older adults and those who care for and support them,” he said.

Participation options include:

• More information about the state plan and a voluntary online survey can be found at https://health.wyo.gov/aging/communityliving/agingstateplan/. The survey will remain open through the end of February. Call 307-777-7995 to request a paper survey.
• The Aging Division is also planning a series of eight regional online Zoom community listening sessions over the next few weeks. Listening session information can be found at https://health.wyo.gov/aging/communityliving/agingstateplan/communitylisteningsessions2021/. No advance signup is necessary.

The Wyoming Department of Health, Aging Division would like to invite you to give your thoughts and feedback on the needs of older adults and their care partners in Wyoming. The Aging Division is holding 1 Community Listening Session per region, and we ask that you pick your nearest geographical region’s scheduled zoom call to participate. These sessions are free to join and are open to all members of the public: Simply copy the access details to your calendar and click on the hyperlink at 5:30pm MST on the correct date. 

If you are unable to join us at the date and time scheduled for your region and you really want to be heard and have your say, please join us in another session of a similar geographical region or simply a more convenient date. Your participation will provide information that will be used to develop the Wyoming Four-Year State Plan on Aging for 2021-2025. 

Specifically, prior research has identified the need for people to continue living in their homes and communities as they age rather than transition to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Our plan in conducting these community listening sessions is to understand the State’s capacity to support these goals and uphold necessary nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Your comments are very valuable to us, and we appreciate your time in assisting with this important project for Wyoming. Participation in one of these community listening sessions is voluntary and will not affect the delivery of services for your communities.

West Wyoming (Thayne)- 02/04/2021- 5:30pm to 6:30pm MST
Thursday, February 4, 2021
5:30pm- 6:30pm MST

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86339997933?pwd=Ynd5N2V3c1BMbHJmYmlVcnNPU3kvQT09
Meeting ID: 863 3999 7933
Passcode: 240556

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Southwest Wyoming (Evanston, Rock Springs, Kemmerer)- 02/09/2021- 5:30pm to 6:30pm MST
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
5:30pm- 6:30pm MST

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82242791537?pwd=QjBEZnlrU3lheStmbnVjb2VLUUVUUT09
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Central Wyoming (Casper, Douglas)- 02/11/2021- 5:30pm to 6:30pm MST
Thursday, February 11, 2021
5:30pm – 6:30pm MST

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86093541126?pwd=UHZ0amZDMVFLSW1yWWJTd1RZZmZIUT09
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Passcode: 873649

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Wind River (Riverton, Lander)- 02/16/2021- 5:30pm to 6:30pm MST
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
5:30pm- 6:30pm MST

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81289515836?pwd=a1ByNGNIT0Y5S2RxSDNvWmhUcTFXQT09
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Passcode: 813800

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Bighorn Basin (Thermopolis, Greybull)- 02/18/2021- 5:30pm to 6:30pm MST
Thursday, February 18, 2021
5:30pm- 6:30pm MST

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84508368324?pwd=ZjdHYWJhdDNBTmZWZ01iSWNEU21BUT09
Meeting ID: 845 0836 8324
Passcode: 987816

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