Missouri State Plan on Aging – 2012-2015

Overview

By 2030, Missourians 65+ will represent more than one-fifth of the population, increasing by 87 percent from 2000 to 2030. And, the 85+ group is expected to grow even more rapidly. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services organized this plan, in accordance with the Older Americans Act, to address the needs of this growing population, as well as to discuss the challenges and opportunities available to support a care system that promotes safety and independence for the older population through cooperation, education and advocacy.

Key Points

As noted in the plan, Missouri has an extensive aging and disability network that works in unison to meet the needs of seniors. Missouri’s geographic makeup includes rural, urban and suburban areas. According to a study conducted by the University of Missouri, 97 percent of the land area in Missouri is rural, but only 31 percent of the population lives in rural communities.

Other key plan findings include:

1. In 2008, over 9 percent of the Missouri population 65+ lived in poverty.
   
2. Senior participation in the workforce increased slightly form 9.8 percent in 2001 to 11.9 in 2007.
   
3. Approximately 28.2 percent of Missouri’s older population has some sort of cost burden.
   
4. The median income for the 65+ population segment is much lower ($30,249) than the median income for the 45 to 64 population segment ($56,211).
   
5. The percentage of Missourian’s with a disability over 65+ accounts for 39.3 percent of the disabled population in the state.
6. Unlike the national trend, Missouri’s MO HealthNet (Medicaid) is a significant portion of the state’s overall budget. While the majority of people enrolled in MO HealthNet are families and children, a majority of expenditures go towards services for the aged, blind, and disabled.
   

How to Use

Based on the diverse 65+ population demographics, Missouri’s plan has an interesting focus of establishing a strong network to help the growing senior population. It isn’t about one or two organizations being successful, but a wide network of multiple organizations coordinating efforts. Few states take this approach. This plan can be useful for local officials interested in increasing cooperation from aging and disability partners, as well as consumer, caregiver and service providers.

View full report: Missouri State Plan on Aging – 2012-2015 (PDF – 4 MB)