Report outlines health-care concerns of elderly

The number one concern on the minds of Nevada seniors is health care.

That's according to the Nevada delegation of the National Silver Haired Congress, a non-profit organization formed in 1984, who interviewed 300 seniors in seven communities throughout the state about what matters most to them. The surveys began last fall and were completed in May.

Forums took place in Boulder City, Carson City, Henderson, Elko, Las Vegas, Reno and Tonopah.

The "What Seniors Have To Say Nevada Report" found that health issues were their primary concern. Other problem areas include maintaining financial security, personal safety and making sure transportation is available.

Boulder City residents felt that long-term health care is too expensive for seniors living only on Social Security. They said caregivers in nursing homes need to undergo tighter scrutiny and long-term care insurance should be more affordable.

"We have so many people who are 85-plus (in age) -- 12,000 in the state -- and long-term health care is going to be an issue, and the state needs a plan," said Ruth Mills, a state delegate to the National Silver Haired Congress. "People who are elected officials need to deal with this, just as much as they are dealing with the growth."

Delegate Jean Maher said Monday that 500 copies of the report have been sent to every state legislator, Nevada's congressional delegation, the state Division for Aging Services, libraries and various professional agencies throughout the state.

"Long-term nursing-home care is very serious," Maher said. "It costs about $50,000 a year in this state."

The report said that Las Vegas residents felt health maintenance organizations were denying coverage to too many people for having pre-existing conditions. They also felt Alzheimer's disease and long-term health care needed more attention.

Carson City residents wanted more affordable dental care and better access to preventative health-care programs.

All seven communities felt prescription drugs needed to be covered by Medicare and provided at lower rates.

Sen. Raymond Rawson, R-Las Vegas, said he had introduced bills in the past to form high-risk long-term health insurance pools, but he couldn't garner enough support.

"The problem is we have allowed the insurance companies to take the cream who never get sick," Rawson said, adding that he would introduce legislation again at the 1999 Legislature.

The report was sponsored by a Challenge Grant from the state Division for Aging Services. Twelve grants of up to $10,000 each are awarded annually.

"They were better able to go out into the community than we were because they were interviewing their peers," said Carla Sloan, administrator for the Division for Aging Services. "We will follow through on their work and consult with other (agencies) in the aging area. This gives us a good look at what people really care about."

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