Master Plan on Aging
What’s New and Highlights!
Why a Master Plan on Aging?
Missouri is seeing a demographic shift with a rapidly increasing number of older adults. This shift creates both opportunities and challenges. By 2030, one in five Missourians will be age 65 or older. The population is projected to grow by more than 450,000 people between 2020 and 2040, making older adults the fastest-growing age group in the state. Those aged 85 and older, who are most likely to need long-term services and supports, are expected to double in number by 2040.
Approximately 14.8 percent of Missourians reported having a disability according to the 2021 American Community Survey. This number will grow as Missourians age into disabilities.
Missouri’s older adults and adults with disabilities are currently served by an estimated 1.13 million unpaid family caregivers. The caregiving they provide represents roughly $11 billion in economic value annually. Supporting caregivers' physical, emotional and financial burden is critical to supporting the older adults and adults with disabilities in Missouri.
The Missouri Master Plan on Aging (MPA) is a 10-year, action-oriented roadmap that brings together public agencies, local organizations, and communities to prepare for this future. It outlines a bold and coordinated vision to support the well-being of all Missourians across their lifespan, and the action steps to get there.
The Master Plan on Aging covers seven key areas of life. Each key area had a dedicated subcommittee, comprising citizens, professionals, and experts, to ensure that the plan was as thorough as possible in meeting the needs of all Missourians as they age. The chart below lists each subcommittee along with its overarching vision statement and priorities.
| Domain | Vision Statement | Priorities |
|---|---|---|
Daily Life & Employment |
Missouri is a national leader and center of innovation in engaging all people, regardless of age, ability level, or personal circumstances in employment, volunteerism and community participation opportunities to strengthen their social/civic ties and enhance their sense of purpose in daily life. | Improve employment opportunities and financial security, expand volunteerism and recreation access, promote accessible community-driven design, and support lifelong learning. |
Family Caregivers |
Family caregivers in Missouri will have the knowledge of and access to adequate training and resources to provide effective care in support of the care recipient’s choices and their own physical and mental well-being. | Increase access to caregiver resources and community supports, invest in the caregiving workforce, support working caregivers across sectors, and strengthen kinship caregiving supports. |
Housing & Aging in Place |
Missouri is a state where every person has access to safe, affordable, quality, and accessible, housing suitable for all ages and abilities in a caring community that provides the necessary support and services to meet the needs of all citizens. | Strengthen leadership, funding, and legal frameworks, improve program administration, and promote public awareness and education. |
Long-Term Services & Supports |
Missourians will have the knowledge of and resources to make informed and person-centered choices regarding the setting in which quality long-term services and supports are available for delivery, including home and community-based services and congregate care options, that maximize independence, health, and quality of life. | Promote affordability and supports planning, maintain and expand service options, address workforce challenges, and improve navigation across the system. |
Safety & Security |
Missourians will have education and resources available to keep them safe and free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and to help them plan for their financial security in retirement. | Strengthen legal protections and awareness, improve professional training and accountability, foster interagency collaboration, and enhance data-sharing and system oversight. |
Transportation & Mobility |
Missourians can access safe and reliable transportation and mobility options to get to the places they need or desire to go. | Expand transportation access, especially in rural areas, align infrastructure and planning with aging and disability needs, strengthen statewide coordination, invest in the transportation workforce, and support flexible, person-centered mobility solutions. |
Whole Person Health |
Missourians will have access to the care and services needed to help them live a safe, healthy life with maximum independence as they age. | Improve access to preventive and comprehensive care, strengthen health literacy, expand use of technology in care delivery, grow the specialized health workforce, and secure sustainable funding for health and wellness services. |