September
29, 2003
Contact:
Jeanie
Bryant
Office of
Public Information
573-751-6062
Missouri
Department of Health and Senior Services Recognizes International Day of Older
Persons, October 1, 2003
On October
1, 2003, the Missouri Department and Health and Senior Services will join the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Aging in
observing the International Day of Older Persons. The International Day of Older Persons was established in 1990 by
the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
“This
international day has been set aside to honor seniors everywhere,” said Richard
C. Dunn, Director, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “It will raise an awareness about the
challenges we will all face as older persons and the programs and services that
we provide that make a difference.”
In
Missouri, the ten Area Agencies on Aging help to provide leadership to local
communities by developing programs and services for seniors. Missouri ranks 13th in the nation in the
percent of people 65 years of age and over,* and has nearly 1,000,000 seniors
age 60 or older residing in the state.
The AAAs provide a variety of supportive services targeted at keeping
seniors independent, healthy and active.
Special emphasis is placed on serving those who are in greatest social
or economic need and on serving low-income, minority and rural seniors.
“The
programs provided by the Area Agencies on Aging encourage healthy aging through
access to good nutrition and physical exercise programs,” said David S. Durbin,
Director, Division of Senior Services and Regulation. “Each AAA tailors its services and contracts to fit the local
needs of seniors within their respective planning and service areas.”
Many of
these services are provided at the 285 senior centers throughout Missouri. On any given day 13,000 older individuals
receive a nutritious meal. In addition,
another 16,000 seniors receive a meal delivered to their home daily. The senior centers are an important part of
the network of services offered by the AAAs.
Organized exercise classes, nutrition education, health screenings and
the social interaction of daily contact all help make a difference in the lives
of older Missourians.
“We know
that when older people engage in physical activity, they can reduce their blood
pressure, relieve pain associated with arthritis and reduce stress and
anxiety,” said Durbin.
To learn
more about the services provided or to inquire about the location of a senior
center in your area, you may contact your Area Agency on Aging via the web
at http://www.dhss.state.mo.us/Senior_Services/mir.htm,
or by calling the Division’s toll free information line at 800-235-5503.
*Office of
Social and Economic Data Analysis http://oseda.missouri.edu/mo_nation/population_65_over_1990_2000.html
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