Empowering Nevada’s rural seniors with vital resources

Nevada’s rapidly-growing population of older adults face health challenges, especially in rural areas.¹ Nearly one in ten Nevada seniors lives in a rural area.² These communities often lack access to critical services for older adults, including health care.^3,4 On average, Nevadans in rural communities must travel 118 miles to an acute care hospital and 46 miles to the nearest incorporated town.⁵ Social needs, like transportation, and limited mobility compound these issues and impact older adults’ ability to age in place.⁶

To help seniors get the support they need, Health Plan of Nevada is collaborating with CARE Chest to expand access to essential resources for seniors, particularly those in rural communities. CARE Chest has served Nevada for over 35 years. In the last year, CARE Chest helped more than 25,000 Nevadans access medical resources. Of those served, 60% were seniors and 48% lived in rural areas.

Providing essential resources to 25,000 Nevadans

The collaboration will expand access to medical resources, help improve health outcomes and promote independence for rural seniors. With support from Health Plan of Nevada, CARE Chest is projecting to support more than 25,000 people in the coming year through their Medical Resource Program, which includes:

• Medical equipment and supplies including durable medical equipment and single-use supplies.
• Prescription assistance for individuals who need help paying for medication.
• Diabetic testing supplies including monthly support with blood glucose monitors, test strips, syringes and lancets.
• Supplemental medical nutrition for individuals with doctor-prescribed nutritional needs.
• Independent living assistive technologies and services to help individuals adapt their living spaces and vehicles to improve access and independence.

Extending support to rural and frontier communities

The impact of the Medical Resource Program is amplified by CARE Chest’s rural outreach. Launched in 2019, the Mobile CARE Chest and Rural Outreach brings services to people in rural and frontier areas. CARE Chest collaborates with local organizations and social services agencies across the state to establish distribution sites at convenient locations like senior centers and food pantries. Today, these outreach efforts cover more than 2,500 miles and 45 outreach sites each month. In the coming year, CARE Chest anticipates helping more than 14,000 rural residents access medical resources through mobile and rural outreach. By bringing care directly to remote communities, these mobile units eliminate the need for long, costly trips to access services.

Reliable access to medical equipment and supplies can mean the difference between isolation and active participation in daily life. Health Plan of Nevada’s collaboration with CARE Chest reflects a shared commitment to improving the health of seniors in rural communities. By delivering essential resources directly to those who need them most, this initiative reduces barriers that often prevent older adults from managing chronic conditions and maintaining independence. The expansion of these services, particularly through mobile and rural outreach, will empower Nevada seniors across the state to live healthier lives.