Kentucky Statistics on Aging Populations and Recognizing Ageism

Course Description:
This activity will address the unique needs of the aging patient demographic in Kentucky. Included in the discussion will be an overview of the aging population and Kentucky specific health related concerns.

Statement of Need:
Kentucky’s average life expectancy is 74 years, with a high and low range of 79.6 and 65.4 years, respectively. Kentucky is among the five states with the lowest life expectancy in the nation. In Kentucky, prevalent poverty rates, poor overall health, substance use, and high prevalence of disabilities are significant contributing factors to low life expectancy projections.

Objectives:

• Increase Public Awareness: Provide clear, culturally appropriate messaging about the importance of a healthy diet and increase of fiber.  
• Promote Healthcare Provider Engagement: Equip primary care providers with the tools to encourage screening, prevention and proactive efforts in discussions with patients.
• Expand Community-Based Outreach: Leverage local organizations, faith-based groups, and public health agencies to disseminate information and facilitate screenings.
• Enhance Access to Screening: Advocate for expanded insurance coverage, mobile screening units, and patient navigation programs to improve accessibility.

Key challenges from the 2024 Kentucky-wide needs assessment include:

• Lack of accessible and affordable transportation, particularly for those in rural areas or who need services outside their counties.
• Lack of caregivers to be in the home routinely and still meet their own family’s needs.
• Inability to connect with services that are needed and valued, such as those listed in

The 2023 Annual Report for America’s Health Rankings places Kentucky among the lowest states (48th) for overall senior health status.1 Health and wellness measures for Kentucky’s seniors show high rates of food insecurity and poverty, limited access to healthcare, and exceedingly high risk of social isolation (85 on a scale from 1 – 100). Addressing Kentucky’s population health disparities and low overall senior health will be imperative in the coming years, as Kentucky’s population aged 60 years and older is projected to increase by 11.4% between 2020 and 2030. Kentuckians aged 75 – 84 years will see the most significant population increase of 39.2%, while Kentuckians aged 85 years and older will see a population increase of 28.9%. As Kentuckians continue to age in the communities, they are facing morbidity, premature death, and low life expectancy, significantly impairing their ability to age with grace and dignity.

Disclosure: 
The following planners disclose that they have no relevant relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients:

Miranda Mosley, Rachel Crouch, Susan Tailor