Johnson County has prepared for the graying of
its Baby Boomers by providing residents access to a full range of health-care
services close to home. In addition to a growing number of clinics, outpatient
services, skilled-care and assisted- living facilities, the county offers
an abundance of beds at some of the finest hospitals in the Midwest. The larger
hospitals provide a broad spectrum of family care, while others serve a special
niche, such as Children’s Mercy South.
In particular, Children’s Mercy South and St. Luke’s South followed
the southwestern migration of the metro area’s population to Johnson
County in the late 1990s. Children’s Mercy opened in Kansas in 1997,
St. Luke’s South in 1998.
Johnson County cares for the mental well-being of its residents as well with
the Johnson County Mental Health Center and Johnson County Developmental Supports.
The United Community Services of Johnson County—United Way’s planning
partner in the county—provides human-service planning and research to
improve the human-services delivery system for all county residents. The USC
“performs research, leads community initiatives, guides the allocation
of resources and promotes public policy to strengthen the community.”
And when those elderly Baby Boomers really need help, the Human Services &
Aging Depart-ment will be there. The HSA has been a part of the Johnson County’s
social safety net for 25 years, focusing especially on those low-income or
disabled citizens most at risk of losing their independence. Programs include
aid with housing, in-home services, Meals on Wheels and emergency assistance.
To find out more about the services Johnson County offers, visit its Web site
at www.jocoks.com.
