September is “National Senior Centers Month,” and with that comes a focus on two major issues elders face in south western Kentucky: hunger and mental health.
Both of these subjects were broached during Monday afternoon’s Pennyrile Area Development District meeting, where Aging & Independent Living Director Amanda Stokes delivered key frontline updates on the matters.
Specifically, Stokes noted that curbside meal provisions across the nine counties, usually provided by senior centers, will end September 30.
This option has been in place since March 2020 — when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its most virulent, and indoor facilities were closed to the public for 15 months.
Notice, she said, was sent to everyone in late August, and two more notices are set to go out later this month.
Stokes said there will still be options in place.
Out of the 180 or so consistent curbside participants served in the last two months, Stokes said “only about 20” have asked to switch into home delivery — currently leaving roughly 160 individuals who either haven’t made a decision, or will simply go without.
As of September 2, the Pennyrile Area Agency on Aging & Independent Living still had 144 people through nine counties waiting list for home-delivered meals, including:
+ Eight in Caldwell County
+ 29 in Christian County
+12 in Crittenden County
+ 15 in Hopkins County
+ Nine in Livingston County
+ Eight in Lyon County
+ 16 in Muhlenberg County
+ One in Todd County
+ And 16 in Trigg County.
September, she added, does mean a strong calendar is ahead for many of the region’s senior centers.
Some of these efforts come in conjunction with it being “Suicide Prevention Month.” Those having suicidal ideations, regardless of age, should call 988 — and Stokes noted several legacy media and online campaigns will emphasize this at the senior citizen and local level.
Stokes said some of her staff will be participating in the Eighth Annual “Out of the Darkness Walk,” coming up on September 21 in Christian County, and there will be several senior events that will allow elders to branch out into the public.
According to the CDC:
*In 2021, among adults 55 and older, the highest suicide rates were seen in men 85 and older (55.7 deaths per 100,000) and women ages 55–64 (7.8 deaths per 100,000).
*From 2001 to 2021, the largest percentage increase in suicide rates occurred among men ages 55–64 and women ages 65–74.
*In 2021, firearms were the leading method of suicide among men 55 and older across all age groups.
*Among women 55 and older, suicide rates involving firearms and poisoning were similar across all age groups.
