GRAYING OF AMERICA: GROWING NUMBER OF SENIOR CITIZENS IMPACTS SERVICES, LEGISLATION

With the increasing number of older Americans, society will have to find new ways to provide services for senior citizens.

"I think there will have to be more facilities to take care of these people because people are living longer," said Janice Unger, administrator at The Lutheran Home.

"We get patients today quicker and sicker," Unger added.

She also discussed the moratorium on the number of beds allowed for nursing homes in the state.

"The legislature needs to look at that law and possibly change it, but we're dealing with it by offering more services in the homes of senior citizens and this will continue," Unger said.

"I think the government is looking at spending money to keep people in their own homes longer," said Ruth Dockins, public information director for Area Agency on Aging.

Cape Girardeau Senior Center administrator Susan McClanahan thinks there will be more home-health care companies created to handle the increased demand for services.

"Our own in-home services and home-bound meals program will grow by leaps and bounds to keep up with the number of senior citizens," McClanahan added.

Dockins said there will be more changes to the services that are already in place.

Seniors get a chance to voice their opinion as to what services need to be provided at community forums sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging.

Some forums in the past have pointed out that transportation for seniors was needed and informational telephone services were needed.

The agency has responded to those calls for added services and will use the forums to decide what additional services will come about in the future.

Saxony Village administrator Scott Sprandell foresees his retirement community expanding by leaps and bounds to accommodate the increased number of senior citizens.

"We're not able to build duplexes fast enough now," Sprandell said.

He expects to add 20 more duplexes and 176 apartments to provide for senior citizens wanting to live in a retirement community setting.

At communities like this, senior citizens have their utilities and taxes paid for. In addition, they get one meal a day prepared for them, and lawn care and housekeeping are also done for them.

"When I turn 65, I'd like to live in a place like this," Sprandell added.

Society is already getting a glimpse of what the future holds in terms of having more senior citizens.

With people living longer today and with baby boomers coming into retirement age within the next 15 years, society's ability to care for seniors will become paramount.

In the question of how to deal with more. Senior care providers seem to agree that more services and expansion of existing services will be the answer.