This shift in in our population affects things like healthcare, housing and elder care, recreation and likely many other sectors also. Also, many of our state’s rural counties have a high percentage of older adults.
To better serve older Oregonians, the Oregon Department of Human Services staff has started traveling one to serve one rural area specifically, offering information, resources and services. Staff from Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) and the Self-Sufficiency Programs (SSP) have these visits to Heppner, in Morrow County. Heppner is at least an hour away from any ODHS office Hermiston, Pendleton or Milton-Freewater – a little too far to expect people to drive for needed services.
The visits started after a recent ODHS community tour to multiple places in Oregon. On the tour was Dave Brehaut, APD district manager. He met with Jerry Conklin, board chair of the South Morrow County Senior Services Matter at the Heppner St. Patrick Senior Center.
“The people at the senior center were very interactive – very exciting to have us there. It has been difficult due to geographic reasons to connect with rural counties and build relationships. Oregon’s demographics are changing. We’re seeing baby boomers are coming into our offices for services. The best we can do with current resources is to try and be where they’re at and let people know that either through ODHS or our community partners what resources are out there to help them,” Brehaut said.
Now, Melissa Fitzpatrick, APD Diversion Transitions Coordinator, drives from the ODHS office in Pendleton to Hermiston to pick up Alexandra Gonzalez Rodriguez, APD Pre-Admissions Screening Specialist and Housing Navigator. Dina Barrera, SSP Community Partnership Coordinator, drives from Milton-Freewater to ride with them to Heppner. They drive through the Oregon rural countryside seeing fields, the 9,000-acre Morrow County Sunstone panel field, sagebrush and deer.
They meet with older people and other community members at the senior center. They have learned that the state of older people is changing in this country. They are more active, involved in their community and are very resourceful.
“I learned that small, rural communities really come together to help one another as best they can. They’re made more aware of all resources available to them. They asked questions about our services, the criteria to be eligible, resource limits and transportation needs.” Fitzpatrick said.
Gonzalez Rodriguez said that people were asking “regarding long-term care services as they don’t know or hear about the services we offer out there. They’re a very welcoming community. I’ve never been welcomed like I’ve been welcomed there. They are so interested in learning about any resources available there. I really enjoy going there.”
Barrera said that going to Heppner, “was a good way to connect with community. One of my biggest beliefs is to meet Oregonians where they’re at. There’s nothing like being able to meet face-to-face and have a conversation,” she said.
Brehaut said the main goal in visiting Heppner and other rural areas “is to give rural consumers a way to connect and be provided resources they may not have knowledge of. They’re 70 miles away from an ODHS office. It is hard for us to expect consumers will drive that distance. It’s good we are connecting with consumers where they are at so we can provide with resources they need.” They all talked about bringing in more resources, such as addiction counselors, behavioral health experts and other services in upcoming visits.
Check out these other facts about Oregon and the nation aging:
- In 2022, there were an estimated 806,907 adults 65 or older living in Oregon.
- By 2050, there will be an estimated 1,280,678 older adults living in Oregon; an increase of 473,771 people or 59 percent.
- Nationally, by 2040 about 78 million Americans will be 65 or older, according to the Administration on Aging.
