Addressing Senior Care Gaps in Rural Briscoe County, Texas

Briscoe Residential Inclusive Care Service for Seniors (BRICSS) Rural Senior Care Initiative in Briscoe County, Texas Team 7 Don Coscarelli, Director – Shady Rest Home for seniors Sam Axe, Director – North Texas Council on Aging Shemp Malone, Sheriff – Briscoe County Texas Ashley ‘Ask” J. Williams, Manager - S-Mart of Briscoe County Part 1: Introduction I. Abstract This is the summary of your proposal. This area should not exceed 45 double spaced lines or one full page. Note: You can format this page and complete it for you final proposal or skip this page for your specific aims submission. II. Table of contents This is the simple structure of reference for your application. Note: You can format this page and complete it for you final proposal or skip this page for your specific aims submission. Part 2: Specific Aims Problem Statement Briscoe County, Texas, has critical needs for elder services ranging from case management, residential care, and hospice. Local and state agencies recently have partnered in order to assess and develop an action plan to address these gaps in necessary service. Demographics for Briscoe County, Texas Briscoe County is a 902 square mile county with 1,790 residents as of the 2000 U.S. Census in rural Texas. Nearly ninety percent of the privately owned land in Briscoe County is dedicated to either ranching or agriculture. More than two-third of the population (1,267) live in the town limits of the county seat of Silverton with a population of 825 or Quitaque with 442 respectively. The county ethnicity as of the 2000 Census is 95.2 percent white, 2.6 percent African-American, .5% American Indian, with 1.8 percent other and multi-racial. The economy of Briscoe County is primarily ranching and irrigated agriculture. The county tax revenue for 2012 was $907,255.74 which is very modest for a Texas county with the land area and population. There are a number of state parks which provide a few local jobs but no tax revenue. The remaining jobs are from business and government jobs. Unemployment is relatively low at 7.6 percent but median income (2000) of $28,795 is low compared to Texas at $39,293 and $42,148 for the US. The residents of Briscoe County are not impoverished per se, but do share many of the critical shortfalls of rural infrastructure and isolation shared by many communities. Aging Population Issues in Briscoe County The population of Briscoe County is aging. The 2000 Census identified the population as approximately 26 percent under 18, 7% from 18 to 24, 22% age 25 to 44, 25% 45 to 65 and nearly 20% over 65 years of age. Briscoe County’s population over 65 is over twice that of Texas, which is 9.9 percent according to the 2000 U.S. Census. The unusually high number of aging residents has placed unusual burdens on local resources and created a crisis among the senior community in Briscoe County. This situation has forced a partnership and request for funding to support the Briscoe Residential Inclusive Care Service for Seniors (BRICSS) initiative. BRICSS Partners The Shady Rest Home for seniors. The Shady Rest Home for Seniors (SRH) is a non-profit assisted living facility for seniors located in Silverton. The property and facility was donated in 1952 by estate of a local rancher. Residents in the twenty bed facility pay a sliding scale monthly. Local churches support the SRH with volunteers and donations. Part of the revenues from the annual Briscoe County Fair and Rodeo also help maintain and support the facility. The county health clinic, supported by W.J. Mangold Memorial Hospital, in Lockney, TX, is adjacent to SRH where residents receive medical care and treatment. Unfortunately there is currently a wait list of over 58 seniors awaiting a bed. Only two or three beds open up annually. Shady Rest also only offers assisted living and no nursing home services. Those in need of nursing home services must travel to Lubbock Texas which is over 90 miles away, thus creating a burden of families and the necessary support systems seniors need. North Texas Council on Aging. The North Texas Council on Aging (NTCA) is designated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services to coordinate services for residents living in north Texas. This state agency works in conjunction with eh North Texas Council of Governments with the objective to maximize services to residents while reducing redundancy. The NTCA has recognized the unique issue in the communities of Briscoe County and has mobilized staff to assist in assessing the issues, identifying critical needs, and locating critical resources for a long term solution. Briscoe County Sheriff’s Office. Briscoe County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is a three-member agency serving the entire county to include the two incorporated cities of Silverton and Quitaque. With a total annual budget is less than $200,000.00. BCSO has taken on a larger than usual role in assisting and checking on seniors due to a lack of local public and private facilities as well as many seniors who struggle with resources such as transportation and funds. There is often only one member on duty, to include State Troopers from DPS, at any given time and assisting with a senior quality of life issue, normally serviced by social agencies or residential infrastructure, creates a burden on services. When needed services fall short in any community residents depend on law enforcement for help. Rural communities can really be impacted in their ability to respond to law enforcement emergencies when called upon frequently to fill gaps in other needed services. S-Mart of Briscoe County. S-Mart is a regional superstore in the north Texas area that services rural communities. It offers groceries, pharmacy, and general mercantile to residents. S-Mart buys locally and supports the community. Each store has five percent of its profits available for donation to local initiatives. The Briscoe County S-Mart recognizes the critical need for additional senior services and has agreed to partner with other local agencies to create a solution. The aforementioned organizations, along with other community partners, have met and discussed the opportunity offered by the Sebastian Haff Foundation