Hello Missouri members!
As we all know, adequate reimbursement and workforce are vexing challenges for our field, so we are elated Missouri will triple Medicaid reimbursement and fund million-dollar signing bonuses for aging services workers new to our field. APRIL FOOLS!!! Sorry, but wouldn’t that be awesome?!?!
In reality, fresh off “spring break” the Legislature had a productive first week back. Gridlock eased and bills passed in the Senate, while the House approved its Budget Bills, kicking the process over to the Senate. As shared in prior communications, we’re relieved the House Budget bills do not cut SNF or HCBS reimbursement. We will now defend this approach in the Senate. Other legislation we are tracking for members stayed dormant last week, which allows us to spotlight Missouri’s recently-released Master Plan on Aging (MPA).
In January 2023, former Governor Parson issued an Executive Order to jumpstart an “aging with dignity” initiative and develop a State MPA so all Missourians can age safely and independently in the environment of their choice. The MPA was to create a framework for shifting aging policy from siloed “senior programs” to a collaborative, cross-sector, state-wide priority that recognizes Missouri’s expanding population of older adults. Unlike prior plans focused on programs primarily funded by the Older Americans Act, the MPA is a broad, 10-year roadmap for public, private, and non-profit leadership. And it includes a Local Implementation Handbook to help communities advance statewide goals and build “age-friendly communities” based on parochial needs.
LeadingAge Missouri members know that one in five Missourians will soon be 65 or older, and for the first time in state history, older adults will outnumber children. To address this historic demographic shift, the MPA recognizes seven critical domains for aging well. These domains were identified through input from over 10,000 Missourians contributing through surveys, task forces, advisory meetings and state-wide town halls. Many LAM members and residents helped build initiatives under these domains:
- Housing and Aging in Place: Focuses on expanding affordable housing and providing financial assistance for home modifications, such as ramps and grab bars, so seniors can stay in their own homes longer.
- Transportation and Mobility: Aims to improve reliable transit, particularly in rural areas, to ensure seniors can reach medical appointments and remain active in their communities.
- Whole Person Health: Addresses more than just medical needs, emphasizing social connection, mental stimulation, and access to specialized geriatric care to combat the health risks of isolation.
- Family Caregivers: Recognizes the state’s 800,000+ unpaid caregivers by proposing better training, resources, and expanded “respite care” to prevent caregiver burnout.
- Safety and Security: Provides education to protect against elder abuse, neglect, and sophisticated scams, while also training first responders to better interact with those living with dementia.
- Daily Life and Employment: Promotes opportunities for seniors to remain in the workforce or engage in meaningful volunteerism and civic activities.
- Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS): Enhances the coordination of in-home services like meal preparation and personal care, creating a “No Wrong Door” system for easier navigation of state resources.
The new Missouri Master Plan on Aging is timely and ambitious! For members who desire to learn more, there is an overview here or you may review the full plan here. Ultimately, the importance of this plan lies in its proactive, collaborative approach. By preparing for its older population, Missouri aims to eliminate barriers to dignity, reduce unnecessary institutionalization, and foster communities where Missourians of all ages can thrive. That’s a perspective we can all applaud!
Yours in service,
