Carson City February 04, 2021
Today, the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services announces the release of Elders Count Nevada, a comprehensive document that includes data and recommendations to support state and local decision-making.
The DHHS Office of Analytics, the Center for Healthy Aging, and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Office of Statewide Initiatives coordinated this collaborative report on the condition of Nevada’s senior population.
The report contains data on key topics including population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, health care, and infrastructure, with a new subsection on workforce related to elder care.
“Elders Count Nevada continues to support the Department’s mission to collect data on key health factors impacting our programs and the individuals they serve,” said Richard Whitley, Director of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Nevada’s population of older adults continues to grow at a rapid rate, with the population age 85 and older increasing at a rate that is double the United States growth rate of the same age group. Additionally, the report shows Nevada’s older adults' health status is lower than the United States in critical areas based on data from the Centers for Disease Control. Couple this with continued workforce shortages and the growing population, Nevada is at a pivotal point to ensure older adults are aging healthy. This report provides the basis to start conversations about healthy aging of Nevada’s population and the document also includes policy recommendations for state and local leaders to consider.
"Please utilize this data book and develop recommendations that will add life to years for Nevada elders,” said Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D., CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging.
The full report and supplemental data dashboard can be accessed online at: http://adsd.nv.gov/About/Reports/Reports/