KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Boomers still rule! At least in Kalamazoo.
According to the latest numbers from Kalamazoo County, there are 41,000 seniors over 65 in the County. This figure represents the fastest growing segment of the local population which is up more than 33% in the last decade.
Program Manager Don Saldia at Milestone Senior Services briefed the County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, December 6 on how they are spending the $2.8-million generated annually from the Senior millage.
He says 90% of the County’s elderly say they want to stay in their homes…but hiring caregivers has become a major challenge.why they plan to allocate $200,000 to direct care-worker support.
“We know the direct care worker shortage is immense. It’s growing. And it’s and extremely big reason why seniors aren’t able to receive care,” stressed Saldia who says they plan to allocate $200,000 to direct care-worker support.
He says they will also be setting aside $500,000 for former members of the armed services, who are a growing segment of the elderly community along with continuing to fund legal aid, adult daycare, meals on wheels, and a number of other services designed to keep seniors in their homes, and at the same time helping seniors fund the necessary home improvements to make it possible.
Reporting by: John McNeill
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