Northland Services for Older Adults Among Best in Missouri

Northland counties were near the top of a recent state survey that measured the quality of life for Missouri's senior citizens.

The recently released, 2007 Missouri Senior Report showed three Northland's counties in the top 30, with Platte County coming in as second for the entire state. Clay County was sixth and Ray County 27th, out of the 114 counties in the Missouri.

Sally Kneibert, Older Adult Services Coordinator for Tri-County Mental Health Services, noted that several organizations have worked hard in recent months to improve services here, including Clay County Senior Services and Platte County Senior Services, which are both close partners with Tri-County's Older Adult Services.

Sally Kneibert, Old Adult Services Coordinator for Tri-County Mental Health Services, addressed a recent program for older adults. Such programs are among the reasons the three Northland counties were recently ranked among the best in Missouri for senior services.
“Tri-County and a number of organizations have been working to ensure that our older adults here have the kind of healthy environment and access to services that they need,” Kneibert said. “It's outstanding to see all of our counties ranked in the top 25 percent.”

The report included a summary of comparative information about key aging issues for Missouri and includes articles and information sources. It is intended to increase awareness of the demographic issues that will impact Missouri in the next decade and beyond. Communities, policy leaders, and individuals will use the report as a tool to assess, plan and respond to the impact of the increasing senior population. The complete survey is available on the state Web site at www.missouriseniorreport.org.

Tri-County's efforts to serve the area's older adults have made significant strides. Beginning in 2006, Kneibert became the organization's first Older Adult Care coordinator to work with primary care physicians, facilitate training for caregivers, and help create the new Aging and Mental Health Coalition of the Northland.