Montezuma County, which currently has a full-time interim director, is poised to appoint a part-time director to its Senior Services department. The new director would also be responsible for the Public Transportation department, splitting time between the two. See position classification description for Senior Services director, June 26.
Montezuma County has more than 6,000 seniors. Last month, the department served approximately 150 seniors with lunches. Senior Services should be working to provide services to more seniors through outreach and marketing. Appointing a part-time director sends a message that shrinking the department or perhaps maintaining the status quo is acceptable.
The U.S. is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. See “Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, May 2023. Loneliness and isolation increase the risk of premature death by 26% and 29% respectively.” (Id. Page 8.) The Surgeon General said that about one in two adults in America report experiencing loneliness.
The Surgeon General urges that we have an obligation to make investments in addressing social connection. Senior Services is one of the primary institutions capable of increasing social connections in our community. The county should increase investment in Senior Services instead of curtailing investment. Senior Services needs a full-time director focused on improving and expanding services. A director giving part-time attention to the department is not sufficient. We can do better.
Bill Stroop
Dolores
