Missouri seeks feedback for its Master Plan on Aging; Springfield town hall happening Thursday

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) — The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will host town halls across the state to get feedback from the community on Missouri’s Master Plan on Aging. Springfield’s town hall will be held this Thursday. This is the second year for the town halls.

Executive Order 23-01 established a Master Plan on Aging to help reduce age and disability discrimination, eliminate barriers to safe and healthy aging, and help Missourians age with dignity. Through these town halls, DHSS officials aim to understand the needs of older adults (60+), adults with disabilities, and caregivers in our area.

Kevin Rusenstrom with SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging said medical costs are a primary challenge for seniors in our area.

“When they’re (seniors) looking at having to pay out co-payments, or that Medicare monthly cost which is $174 a month. If they’re running tight on their budget, that can be a difficult situation, so I’m sure they’re looking for assistance in the sense of that cost going down rather than going up because their social security income is not always matching what the growth of our inflation rate is,” Rusenstrom said. “It becomes a challenge, and we’re seeing that daily where people are calling here at SeniorAge, or we get walk-ins, and they’re saying, ‘I’m running out of funds.’”

He also said they get many seniors needing help with housing.

“They really have a challenge sometimes meeting those bills. The uncertainty of the financial outlook on it. I think they’re looking for something that’s secure,” Rusenstrom said.

Rusenstrom said anyone is welcome to attend and voice their opinion, even if they’re not 60 or older.

Thursday’s town hall is happening at the Southside Senior Center on 2215 South Fremont from 2-4 p.m. Here, you can find other town hall locations and times.

The Master Plan on Aging must be finalized by December 31, 2025, so this is the last year DHSS has to gain input from across the state.

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