by Martha Zirschky
Few can say they made a life-long career decision in grade school, but Debbie Gwin did and for almost 40 years has followed that path.
Next month she retires as executive director of the Platte County Senior Services Fund. Previously she served 28 years in the Clay County Public Administrator’s office, 12 as the public administrator, and recently retired as the chair of the MARC Commission on Aging.
Debbie was nine when she spent a summer living with her grandparents as a companion for her cancer ridden grandfather while her grandmother worked.
“It shaped me knowing what I wanted to do when I grew up,” Gwin said. “I had a purpose then and I do now. We are here to make a difference in people’s lives.”
In 1992 Platte County voters agreed to a make difference for older adults when they said “yes” to “shall the voters of Platte County levy five cents ……….”.
In 1992, 12% of the county population was age 60 and older. Today it is 20% and continues to grow.
The future is uncertain as the media warns older adults the Social Security reserves will be “depleted” by (latest estimate) 2032, Medicare Part A is threatened, and Medicaid will be cut in 2027.
The Social Security Administration estimates 14% of the population 65 and older in Platte County receive 90% of their monthly income from Social Security.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, living longer does not guarantee good health as chronic diseases increase and people often become frailer.
Gwin said she is proud to work in a county where citizens formed a coalition to provide for older adults. A Platte County committee worked 10 years getting the legislation passed and researching the services needed as indicated by a citizen’s survey. Today almost 60 counties have passed the senior levy.
“The levy is an investment in our community,” Gwin said. “What does this service do for the older adults we serve? What difference does it make in someone’s life?”
She remembers the woman who told her, “You saved my life.”
Platte County is a wealthy county, but not all residents are self-sufficient. For example, 1,100 women 75 years or older in Platte County have incomes below the federal poverty guidelines which affects their independence. The poverty level among adults 65 and older in the county is 9.2% (USA Facts).
Platte County Senior Fund records show, Gwin said, that since 2012, 6,156 households (unduplicated) have accessed the services made possible by the levy. Services are designed to help people stay in their own homes and include personal care, homemaker, respite care, and transportation for essential trips. Transitional respite is available to people being discharged from rehab or a hospital. People can request that someone call to check on them each day. Many individuals wear Senior Fund subsidized medical alert devices. Like the school district meal programs, many services are income based.
“Our goal isn’t to spend more money,” Gwin said. “It is to create more opportunities for our older adults.”
Community senior centers, for example, provide socialization, and the Senior Fund helps Centers in Platte City, Dearborn, Weston, Hillcrest, and the Parkville Living Center.
Many serve meals several days a week,” said Marcus Flores who manages several centers and sees the growth that is occurring.
A major challenge facing the Platte County Senior Fund, Gwin said, is informing the public of the services that exist. The internet references the Platte County Senior Fund in several ways on multiple websites, “but until a service is needed ‘it is what do I do and where do I go?’” she said. “Platte County saw the need many years ago. I am humbled to have served my final years helping Platte County seniors.”
Gwin was recently honored by MARC, the City of Parkville and others who have crossed her path during her career of “making a difference.”
