April 16 (Bloomberg) -- Martha Stewart, the television host and author known for her advice on dining and décor, told Congress today that caring for her mother taught her about the needs of the elderly and of those who attend to them.

``It is important that we, as a society, recognize the stresses and challenges that caregivers face and support them as best we can,'' Stewart, 66, the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., told a Senate committee hearing today. ``We want to ensure that their health isn't undermined by the demands of elder-care.''

Lessons Stewart learned helping her mother, Martha Kostyra, who died last year at the age of 93, included the importance of coordinating the care that older people get from different doctors, Stewart told the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Family caregivers also need recognition for the stresses they face and the savings they expend, she said.

The U.S. is unprepared to meet the medical needs of its elderly, whose number is expected to double to 70 million by 2030, according to a report released this week by the Institute of Medicine, part of the government-chartered National Academy of Sciences. The aging of baby boomers, the generation born from 1946 to 1964, will put pressure on the health-care system, especially for more caregivers and doctors who specialize in geriatrics, the report found.

$5 Million Gift

Stewart gave $5 million last year to create the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. The center ``serves to promote and facilitate access to health care resources for older adults and to enhance the public perception of aging,'' according to Mount Sinai's Web site.

Martha Stewart Living Omnipedia, owner of its namesake magazine and cooking show, reported revenue of $327.9 million last year. The company this month completed acquisition of television chef Emeril Lagasse's media and merchandising business to expand its celebrity roster.

Past congressional interest in Martha Stewart included hearings on allegations of insider trading. Stewart went to prison in 2005 for five months for obstructing justice in a federal investigation of trades involving ImClone Systems Inc. There was no mention today of that period of her life.

Senator Herbert Kohl, chairman of the committee on aging, said he would develop legislation to help increase the number of caregivers for the elderly, whose needs already outstrip the availability of workers.

Taking steps to ``train, support and expand the ranks'' of those who can help care for the country's aging population can't be put off, said Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat.

``In three short years, 75 million baby boomers will start to turn 65,'' Kohl said. ``We must ensure our health-care system is ready.''

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To contact the reporters on this story: Aliza Marcus in Washington at amarcus8@bloomberg.net;

Last Updated: April 16, 2008 19:02 EDT