Courtesy photo | Hospital board trustee Rick Shumann speaks at the community forum about long term care at the hospital.

A community forum was held last week to provide information regarding the proposed expansion of the Lefa L. Seran Skilled Nursing Facility at Mt. Grant General Hospital.

Dr. John Packham from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine shared the latest demographics and related information regarding Mineral County residents to the seven community members who attended.

Some date presented at the meeting was – the median age statewide is 36.9 years with Mineral County’s median age being 47.1 year. The percent of Nevadans age 65 years or older is 14.5 with Mineral County having resident over the age of 65 years of age or older at 20.1.

Packham explained that Mineral County ranks at or near the bottom statewide in percent of population with the following chronic health conditions: diabetes; obesity; smoking and lack of regular exercise. He explained that a combination of these health factors and aging county population indicates the need now and in the future for expanded long-term care facilities in Mineral County.

The information presented by Packham explained that community members were given the chance to determine the model of long-term care that will best meet the needs of residents of the county over the next 20-30 years.

Residents who were unable to attend the forum can participate by completing the survey online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MGGH2018 or pick up a hard copy at the hospital during business hours.