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Coalition Partnership Helps Seniors and Caregivers Find the Resources They Need

on February 28, 2019 in General by Amy Brost

Each month, 500 people reach the age of 65 in our Eastern Jackson County area. Our aging population has given so much to our community and for the last 8 years, our Community for All Ages Coalition has been working hard to do the same for them. Now seniors, caregivers and care managers across the region can find the information and services they need – all on a free and user-friendly website.

In 2013, focused on identifying gaps in needed services and resources for seniors, the Community for All Ages Coalition launched the Care Connection website, an online directory for seniors and caregivers in Eastern Jackson County. A partnership between Truman Heartland, Mid-Continent Public Library and the Shepherd’s Center, Care Connection provided easy access to quality information and was recognized with a 2013 IMPACT Award from the Kansas City Business Journal.

As the site’s popularity grew, the Coalition joined forces with Link for Care, a similar website hosted by the Landon Center on Aging at the University of Kansas. In 2015, the Coalition merged the Care Connection directory with more than 1,000 listings on Link for Care, creating the most comprehensive database for seniors, caregivers and care managers in the region.

Now maintained and managed by the Landon Center on Aging and Central Plains Geriatric staff at KU Medical Center, Link for Care’s database covers more than 9 counties, 119 cities and 50 transportation services.

The success of Link for Care and the partnership with the Landon Center shows that when we come together with a common focus, we can make a greater impact on our community.

Truman Heartland’s Community for All Ages Coalition, now 70 members strong, is committed to working collaboratively and proactively to ensure that our Eastern Jackson County communities are prepared for the challenges and opportunities created by the changing demographics. Learn more about the Coalition at https://www.thcf.org/Initiatives-Impact/Community-for-All-Ages-Coalition