Senior statistics

The surge of retiring baby boomers has been on the radar of public and private policymakers for quite some time. Now there is a source of specific information about Missouri's aging population. It is a 143-page report -- "Missouri Senior Report: Ahead of the Baby Boom: Missouri Prepares" -- produced by the Department of Health and Senior Services and the University of Missouri-Columbia's Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis.

Officials charged with providing services to the older population say the data in the county-by-county report will help them meet the needs of the elderly. Currently, 10 percent of Missouri's population are over 65 years old. By 2020, 18 percent of the state's population will be considered senior citizens.

The report ranks each county in the state on a variety of factors that affect seniors. Cape Girardeau County ranks 24th out of 114 counties. Boone County (Columbia, Mo.) ranks first, and the city of St. Louis ranks last.

Advocates for senior citizens, such as Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau and Ruth Dockins of the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Agency, believe the information in the report provides statistical information that is more detailed and reliable that the gut instincts that provided much of the guidance for providing services up till now.

In that regard, the report may prove to be a valuable and useful tool.