An initiative to build age-friendly communities in Missouri has been officially launched as part of the state’s Master Plan on Aging.
Mindy Ulstad, Chief of the Bureau of Senior Programs with the Department of Health and Senior Services, tells Missourinet just what an age-friendly community is.
“Age-friendly communities would encompass either a city or a regional area,” she said. “It could be a county. And so, we do have a local implementation guide that we developed to help those local entities be able to do those things on the local level.”
Housing is a crucial part of the state’s aging master plan.
“There’s a housing crisis for Missourians, especially affordable and accessible housing for older adults and adults with disabilities,” Ulstad said. “The plan really does look at how we can increase that housing availability.”
The plan includes working with contractors to make sure the homes they’re building are accessible for people as they age and their ability to get around changes.
“They purchased homes when they were young and nimble, and as they have aged and their abilities have changed, they do need those additional things added to their homes,” Ulstad said. “And so, the plan does address having access and funding assistance to do those type of home modifications.”
Missouri’s Master Plan on Aging was created in 2023 under an executive order from then- governor Mike Parson. The plan officially launched last week.
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