CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)By 2050, nearly 90 million Americans are expected to be 65 or older — a shift that is already changing the way health care providers prepare for the future.
To help address those growing needs, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosted its 10th annual Inclusive Care Conference, focusing this year on caring for aging populations.
The conference brings together health professionals, students and community partners to discuss health disparities and ways to improve access to care for underserved groups.
Dr. Amber Roache, Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator at UTC’s College of Nursing, said the conference highlights challenges many communities face when it comes to health care access.
“Every year focuses on health disparities — whether that’s with rural populations who are underserved or urban populations that are underserved,” Roache said. “Today’s conference is focusing on the aging community and the aging population and what that looks like as far as health care and access to resources they may need.”
The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration between health care providers and community organizations that offer support services to older adults.
Roache said community partners play a critical role in helping remove barriers to care.
“One of our community partners has so many resources. It’s really amazing,” she said. “They help provide transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, and when you look at all the different nonprofit and community agencies in our area, funding helps them break down some of those barriers.”
Organizers say strengthening those partnerships can help ensure older adults have the support and resources they need to stay healthy and connected in their communities.
