Castle Peak Senior Life and Rehabilitation serves a significant portion of the valley’s senior community
Vail Daily archive
The demographic landscape of Eagle County is undergoing a noticeable transformation as it ages.
The recently released Eagle County Regional Housing Needs Assessment presents a wealth of data that underscores this shift, highlighting a burgeoning aged population in the valley.
According to the comprehensive data analysis, the number of senior citizens in the county has experienced remarkable growth since 2010. Specifically, the proportion of residents aged 65 and older has skyrocketed, more than doubling from 6% in 2010 to an impressive 14% by 2022.
In stark contrast, the segment of the population aged 45 and younger has experienced a significant decline, decreasing from 69% in 2010 to 59% in 2022.
The dedicated team at Castle Peak Senior Life and Rehabilitation has become a vital resource, welcoming a diverse array of the valley’s elder residents.
“The demand for senior care in the valley has never been greater,” Castle Peak executive director Shelly Cornish remarked, indicating that the facility has maintained a steady occupancy rate since its inception approximately eight years ago.
Castle Peak caters to two distinct groups of clients: those requiring short-term rehabilitation and those seeking longer-term residence. The short-term residents typically arrive directly from hospital stays, remaining in the facility for about 18 days as they recover and regain their strength prior to returning home.
The long-term residents, on the other hand, often call Castle Peak home for the remainder of their lives. Cornish noted these stays typically last from 18 months to two years, with one resident having made Castle Peak their permanent home since the facility opened its doors.
There’s a constant need
Currently, a waiting list exists for residency at the facility. “There’s never a day we don’t receive a referral,” Cornish explained, acknowledging the persistent demand for spacious accommodations, yet emphasized that Castle Peak has no immediate plans to expand its residential facilities due to financial constraints.
The financial burden primarily stems from the fact that approximately 60% of Castle Peak’s skilled nursing residents rely on Medicaid. Unfortunately, the state’s reimbursements do not cover the full costs associated with their care. Being a nonprofit organization, Castle Peak is dedicated to providing care for all residents, necessitating alternative funding solutions to bridge the financial gap.
This financial shortfall has prompted the county to provide subsidies over the past two years, and Castle Peak is poised to submit another request for support in the upcoming 2025 budget.
Beyond the confines of Castle Peak, Eagle County’s governmental bodies are actively pursuing the enhancement of services tailored for older residents.
Eagle County Public Health Director Heath Harmon emphasized the importance of adapting services to meet the evolving needs of an aging population. In 2023, the county conducted a comprehensive community health assessment, which prominently focused on the needs of older adults.
This extensive assessment involved engaging residents from the county’s senior centers located in El Jebel, Eagle, and Minturn. During these discussions, community members, already participating in the county’s healthy aging program, shared valuable insights regarding desired gathering spaces and suggestions for improving the safety features of indoor environments. Additionally, there were discussions surrounding the need for downsizing options for older residents looking to move from their current homes.
A lack of home health care
Harmon further remarked on the expressed need for improved access to medical care, a topic of heightened concern following the valley’s loss of home health services.
These conversations proved to be instrumental, according to Harmon. There is a pressing requirement for enhanced transportation options to facilitate older residents’ access to medical appointments. Nevertheless, Harmon noted that reviving some form of home health care is currently under consideration in collaboration with Eagle County Paramedic Services, which may mitigate some of the transportation challenges faced by the senior population.
As the county’s demographic continues to age, Cornish was asked to highlight areas that demand community and state attention in the coming years. She expressed the necessity of focusing on an aging workforce, indicating that progress is being made in this area.
At the state level, Cornish urged that legislators should prioritize seniors within the state budget, ensuring they are reimbursed adequately for the vital care they provide.
Cornish also shared sage advice for individuals approaching their 65th birthday, encouraging them to remain active, both physically and mentally. “The people who age the best have a great attitude,” she affirmed. “There’s blessings all over,” Cornish emphasized. “You’ve got to look for them.”
### Interview with Shelly Cornish, Executive Director of Castle Peak Senior Life and Rehabilitation
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Shelly. It’s clear that Eagle County is experiencing a significant demographic shift, especially among its senior population. How has Castle Peak adapted to this changing landscape?
**Shelly Cornish:** Thank you for having me. The growth of our senior population has definitely influenced our operations here at Castle Peak. We’ve focused on not only providing high-quality care but also ensuring we can accommodate the diverse needs of seniors, whether they require short-term rehabilitation or long-term residency. We’ve maintained a steady occupancy rate since we opened our doors about eight years ago, which speaks to the demand for our services.
**Interviewer:** The recent housing needs assessment showed a remarkable increase in seniors aged 65 and older in the valley. Can you share what this means for your facility?
**Shelly Cornish:** It certainly highlights the need for facilities like ours. The percentage of seniors has risen dramatically—from just 6% in 2010 to 14% in 2022. This necessitates a robust support system for our elderly residents, and unfortunately, we currently have a waiting list for new residents. Every day, we receive referrals, and the demand seems to be ever-increasing.
**Interviewer:** Given the financial constraints and the fact that a significant portion of your residents rely on Medicaid, how are you managing those challenges?
**Shelly Cornish:** That has been one of our biggest challenges. About 60% of our skilled nursing residents rely on Medicaid, but the state’s reimbursement rates do not cover the full cost of their care. As a nonprofit, we are committed to helping everyone who comes through our doors, which is why alternative funding solutions are essential. We’ve received county subsidies for the past two years, and we plan to request additional support in the upcoming 2025 budget.
**Interviewer:** Beyond the facility itself, what are you seeing at the community level regarding support for the aging population?
**Shelly Cornish:** The county is actively looking to improve services for older residents, which is encouraging. They recently completed a community health assessment focused on the needs of seniors, engaging residents in discussions at local senior centers. This shows a proactive approach to understanding and addressing the needs of our aging population, which will ultimately benefit us all.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Shelly, for sharing these insights about Castle Peak and the senior community in Eagle County. It’s clear that collaborative efforts will be vital as the region continues to age.
**Shelly Cornish:** Thank you for highlighting this important issue. We are dedicated to ensuring that all our residents receive the care and support they need. It truly takes a community effort to meet these growing demands.
