Kentucky Governor Fletcher
announces new Agency focusing on aging, disabilities
issues…Department
for Aging and Independent Living will raise profile,
strengthen voice of special populations, including
growing Boomer population and elderly
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher has signed an
executive order creating the Department for Aging
and Independent Living to centralize policy
coordination, services and leadership on issues
related to older Kentuckians and people with
physical disabilities.
The Department for Aging and Independent Living will focus on
serving the needs and enhancing the independent
living opportunities of Kentucky’s elders and people
with physical disabilities.
“This new department will better ensure that Kentucky’s
seniors and individuals with disabilities have the
services and resources they need to live
independently and with dignity,” Governor Fletcher
said. “It will help ensure they have a quality life
as well as quality care.”
The department will be part of the Cabinet for Health and
Family Services and replaces the former Division for
Aging Services.
CHFS Secretary Mark D. Birdwhistell said the new agency’s
status as a stand-alone cabinet department will help
raise the profile and influence of both the agency’s
work and constituency.
“In 2011, the first of the baby boom generation will reach
retirement age,” Birdwhistell said. “This
significant segment of the state’s population will
want access to services, supports, advocacy and
opportunities to continue to work, engage in
community activities and enjoy as much independence
as possible for as long as possible. The mission of
the department will be to respond to those
expectations.”
The Department for Aging and Independent Living will continue
to provide the programs and services currently
available to elders and people with physical
disabilities while expanding its focus to include
new ventures as needs are identified.
“Kentucky is fortunate to have public resources like the
Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens, the
Institute for Aging and academic research
organizations, as well as respected private advocacy
groups like the AARP to provide insight and advice
on issues of importance to our elders and people
with disabilities,” Governor Fletcher said.
Another of the department’s core functions will focus on
Kentuckians with physical disabilities who are
currently living with and being cared for by aging
parents and others. As those caregivers become
unable to provide the required level of care, the
department will marshal resources and tools to help
people with disabilities transition to the most
appropriate and least restrictive care environments
for their needs.
“We will soon experience an increase in the number of people
needing our services,” Birdwhistell said. “Before
that happens, we need to establish a streamlined
process and single point of entry to Medicaid and
other vital programs to help make that transition as
smooth and effortless as possible. This new agency
will play a major role in achieving that and other
goals.”