Support older adults in Jackson County. Why you should vote yes on Ballot Question 1 | Opinion

By 2030, the older population in Jackson County will have nearly doubled what it was in 2010. And more than 21% of Jackson County residents age 60 and over currently live in poverty, double the national average. Jackson County must prepare to meet the increasing needs of older adults as our aging population continues to grow.

Today, the residents of almost half of Missouri counties enjoy Senior Service Funds, which were established by law to benefit Missourians age 60 and older. These funds prevent older adults from going hungry or living in unsafe conditions, and they support caregivers and provide access to medical care. Older Kansas City adults in Platte and Clay counties already enjoy the benefits of this levy and have more robust basic human services because of it.

The opportunity to support older Jackson Countians is now on the November ballot. If County Question 1 passes, someone who owns a property with a market value of $200,000 would contribute less than $20 a year to generate $7 million to $9 million for Jackson County seniors. All dollars go to agencies whose mission is to serve the needs of people age 60 and older.

An independent board, and not a political body, would oversee the fund distribution.

The SPARK Flossie Pack Center for Lifelong Learning has joined forces with the Jackson County Seniors Count Coalition, representing 50 agencies that work to address the needs of older adults.

You know some of our members: the Don Bosco Centers, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City, the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Others you might not know: Ask SAMIE and HopeBUILDERS help older adults make needed home repairs like installing shower grab bars and other safety equipment. AccessKC, formerly Baptist-Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation, provides short-term medical assistance. Sandwiched KC provides awareness and support to caregivers struggling to support a loved one.

Not all needs we address are income related. This fund will be for all of Jackson County’s older adults, regardless of income. Our agencies provide home-delivered meals that focus on nutritional needs. They manage senior centers and organize social activities. They offer transportation services to older adults who’ve given up driving, and to those who need home maintenance support. These issues can affect all older adults, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Imagine the plight of a woman with osteoporosis who can no longer drive safely because she can’t see over the dashboard of her car. Or an older man who has just been released from inpatient rehabilitation but is not yet able prepare his own meals. Or a woman who longs for the social interaction and mental stimulation that has disappeared from her life. These are real world circumstances among seniors that our agencies encounter every day.

We know a new property tax is a hard sell. Nobody wants to pay more taxes. But we’re asking property owners to make a small investment (the second smallest levy on your bill) to make Jackson County a great place to age for all of us. You can make that happen by voting for Jackson County Question 1. Look for it at the end of the November ballot. We encourage you to vote yes on Jackson County Question 1.

This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 5:02 AM.