BusinessTN

Over the next 15 years, it is estimated that the senior population in Tennessee will double. Unlike 47 other states, however, Tennessee lacks a single unit of government to administer long-term care and other services for older citizens. Legislation now being promoted by Democratic state Sen. Lowe Finney of Jackson would do just that and more. Earlier this year, the state Senate signed off on further study of Finney's proposal to create a new state Department of Aging with a cabinet level commissioner to run it. Existing programs, services and activities authorized by the federal Older Americans Act that are currently coordinated under an appointed state commission would fall instead to the new state department, according to Finney's bill. By elevating the state's efforts as they relate to our elder population, Finney believes better execution and more efficient use of taxpayer dollars are possible.

Finney's merit-filled bill is aimed at helping seniors—both natives and imports—to live better in Tennessee. But Tennessee should also be prepared for the inevitability that members of its growing class of senior citizens are likely to someday die in our state, as well. And according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook printed by the U.S. Department of Labor,the need to replace funeral directors retiring or leaving the occupation for other reasons will account for more job openings than will employment growth over the next few years. Funeral directors are older, on average, than workers in other occupations, the Handbook states, and should be retiring in greater numbers between now and 2014.

In a recent article detailing Tennessee's own need for additional undertakers, the Chattanooga Times Free Press turned for expert opinion to Steven Spann, the president of a mortuary school in Nashville, the John A. Gupton College. Spann told the TFP that an aging population will translate into more demand than ever for funeral directors and embalmers. With so many of Tennessee's and the nation's current class of industry professionals reaching the retirement age, Spann explained, demand is steadily outstripping supply across the industry. Admittedly, caring for the dead may not appeal to young people when compared to, oh, say, landing a coveted high tech jobs. But at least students choosing to enter the profession of undertaking in Tennessee could count on finding work, and plenty of it given population and in-migration trends.

In light of that present and looming worker shortage, perhaps Sen. Finney could consider including in the final version of his proposed bill some kind of incentives to inspire more students to enter the study of undertaking. Particularly following another recent 6% hike in college tuition costs across both the UT and Board of Regents' system, he might discover a ripe field of takers. And facing such cost increases, perhaps parents across Tennessee may also be more inclined to take the opportunity the next time the family is watching CSI: Miami to tell their little Jimmy or Jenny about a recession-proof line of work for which there is sure to be some home-grown employment demand in the near future.

Drew Ruble, Editor