curiousKC | Aging and Long-Term Care in Kansas City
August 16, 2023 | | 3 min read
In September, Kansas City PBS and Flatland will explore the challenges facing families and their aging members.
“Age-Old Questions” reporting will provide a comprehensive look into many of the questions and concerns related to retirement, finances, caregiving, and the at-home care versus assisted living/nursing home debate, among other issues facing both the aging population and their loved ones.
The month-long multimedia effort is centered around a new documentary, “How Should We Care?” by filmmaker Michael Price.
Airing on Kansas City PBS Thursday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., the film will offer an in-depth look at the nursing home and long-term care industry in the region as it faces unprecedented stresses following the COVID-19 global pandemic.
According to ProPublica’s Nursing Home Inspect report, “infection-related deficiencies” were found in 459 of Missouri’s 510 homes. “Serious deficiencies” were identified in 156 registered homes as of July 2023.
The documentary will be immediately followed by “The State of Aging in Kansas City,” a televised town hall in collaboration with Kansas City Public Library and hosted by “Week in Review” host Nick Haines.
Register to attend the Sept. 5 town hall at the Kansas City Library’s Plaza Branch here.
In its 2021 report to Congress, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act reported that replacing family caregiving support of older adults and people with disabilities with paid services would cost $470 billion each year.
September’s episode of “Flatland in Focus” will open its third season with an “Age-Old Questions” episode, airing Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. on Kansas City PBS and on YouTube, addressing the issue locally.
Hosted by D. Rashaan Gilmore, “Flatland in Focus: Navigating Aging in Place,” will feature lead reporting by Mary Sanchez and a roundtable discussion with community members who dedicate their time and efforts to caring for elderly relatives, highlighting the systems and resources in place to support those aging in place.
Keep an eye on FlatlandKC.org and our YouTube channel throughout the month for additional “Age-Old Questions” coverage, including content related to Alzheimer’s and dementia care, how area seniors are staying active and information on estate planning and Social Security from the Financial Planning Association of Kansas City.
To better serve our audience and provide answers on this topic, we would like to hear from you!
You can help shape our reporting by submitting your story or asking aging-related questions that may be addressed in the upcoming “The State of Aging in Kansas City” town hall or “Navigating Aging in Place” episode of Flatland in Focus in the form below.
“Age-Old Questions” reporting is made possible through the generous support of the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee and Husch Blackwell.
Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.
Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.
Related Stories
Nick’s Picks | Roads, Bathrooms, Costco and More …
New Toll Road Opens Kansas City’s first toll road opens this week. Starting Saturday, you’ll pay up to $3.50 to travel the new express lanes on U.S. Highway 69 from 103rd to 151st streets in Overland Park. There are no toll booths — cameras scan your license plate, and a bill arrives by mail. KTAG…
Up From the Ashes: Warwick Theatre Revival Draws Applause
Two years ago, John Cleary met a fellow Kansas City actor for drinks. Their conversation centered on the fate of the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. A large portion of the ensemble’s home, the Warwick Theatre, was ash, charred timbers and soot-saturated costumes and props — remnants from a recent massive fire. The destruction was so great…
Nick’s Picks | Baseball, Drones, Romance and More …
Royals Reveal Next week, the Kansas City Royals head to Arizona for Spring Training. And that’s the mayor’s self-imposed deadline to lock in a stadium deal. So, is this finally the week owner John Sherman steps to the plate and unveils where the Royals will build their next home? At last week’s council meeting, Mayor…