Let’s Talk New Mexico, 12/5/24, 8am: New Mexico’s population is growing older at a faster rate than the national average. By 2040, nearly a quarter of New Mexicans will be over the age of 65, up from about 18% in 2020. As our community ages , what resources, services, and opportunities are in place for seniors?
For some, older age represents a time of slowing down and savoring life through hobbies and leisure, but for others it is a time of anxiety caused by increased costs of living and higher demands for medical care with a fixed income or none at all. Many people find contentment through a balance of part-time work and leisure or volunteering.
On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we'll discuss life’s “third act.” Does New Mexico have the physical and economic infrastructure to take care of its aging population? How can people continue to earn money if they weren’t able to save a nest egg earlier in life? What ideas do you have to help folks stay active and feel valued in their communities? Email letstalk@kunm.org, leave a voice message by clicking the link below, or call in live Thursday morning at 8.
Guests:
- Kari Cardinale, Chief Content Officer, Modern Elder Academy
- Debbie Gonzales, Director, Consumer and Elder Rights Division, New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department
- Joseph Roybal-Sánchez, State Director, AARP New Mexico
Related resources and reading:
- New Mexico Aging and Disability Resource Center, Monday-Friday 7:45am-5pm, 1-800-432-2080
- Aging and Long-term Services Ombudsman, call to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation at 1-866-451-2901
- AARP New Mexico, (866) 389-5636
- "Author and founder of the Modern Elder Academy says midlife is an opportunity, not a crisis," KUNM News
- "City works to expand services for seniors with center expansion, new resolution," Santa Fe New Mexican
- "Abuse charges against four eldercare workers underscore gaps in state oversight," New Mexico In Depth
