Helping the Caregivers – Senior Services Support

Statistics from the Department of Health and Human Statistics report that the first wave of the baby boomers is currently turning 60, adding to the 49 million Americans who are already age 60 or older. The most compelling question that arises is how can an aging population of this size be provided with needed state-supported services like meals on wheels and in-home aides?

Many state governments are facing the dilemma of a population density of senior citizens that transcends budget limitations for these services. These types of services have traditionally provided a cost-effective method of helping seniors stay independent and consequently, relieving some of the financial burden of Medicaid-funded nursing home care.

Consider, for example, the fact that many states provide an average of 47 percent of the funding for the Medicaid program, which pays for the vast majority of long-term care in this country and also supports a portion of the prescription drug costs for low-income elderly people. In addition, state governments must finance pensions and health care for what will be a growing cadre of retired state employees. According to Elizabeth C. McNichol in “Revisiting State Tax Preferences for Seniors,” elderly-related costs borne by state and local governments for a wide range of other programs including everything from special transportation to social services will also be increasing.

Fortunately, advocates in many states are urging legislators to strongly consider revisiting their respective budgets to ensure that these services get the funding they need. The importance of these services cannot be ignored. Consider the situation of seniors who currently benefit from transportation services enabling them to independently travel to their physician’s office. Consider also, the thousands of senior citizens that enjoy the benefit from home-delivered meals--not only are they getting the benefit of nutritional meals delivered to their home, but in many cases, it affords them the rare opportunity for social interaction.

The Administration on Aging has been pursuing an initiative to help the elderly and their families to conserve and extend their personal resources through the use of low-cost community-based alternatives, so that they can remain at home and in their communities for as long as possible. The following is an overview of the 2007 fiscal year budget request that the Administration on Aging has proposed:

• $1.2 billion for State and Community-Based Services--$27million below the FY 2006 enacted level.
• $32.4 million for Services for Native Americans--the same as the FY 2006 enacted level.
• $19.2 million for Protection of Vulnerable Older Americans--$1million below the FY 2006 enacted level.
• $35.5 million for Program Innovations--$10.9 million over the FY 2006 enacted level.
• $13.1 million for Aging Network Support Activities--the same as the FY 2006 enacted level.

The hope is that proposals like this along with the continued support for funding for senior care services by state lobbyists will prompt state governments to continue to provide funding for these essential senior care services.