Study Finds State Needs Elder Care Services

A study from the University of Missouri-Rolla finds a huge demand and a shortage of workers in the elder care industry in Missouri. The study from the Small Business Research & Information Center at UMR is designed with the potential small business owner in mind…and shows a real need for elder care in Missouri. Spokesman Cathy Frank says there are more than 700-thousand Missourians over age 65, but just 282 businesses providing some type of elder care services. She says the elder care industry in Missouri is NOT prepared for the retirement of the baby boom generation. Frank says small business owners need to develop strategies to help accommodate the growing segment of the population caring for elderly parents or loved ones. Some suggestions include flexible schedules, family leave, intergenerational day care and long-term care insurance.