Budget, home and community-based services topped Elder Services Legislative Forum
Elder Services of Berkshire County recently held a Legislative Forum attended by State Senator Benjamin Downing, and State Representatives Denis Guyer, Smitty Pignatelli, and Christopher Speranzo. They addressed a group of more than 80 concerned seniors and advocates, representing more than 25 organizations and agencies.
Elder Services’ Executive Director Robert P. Dean welcomed the state legislators, stating, “I thank each of you for all you have done and will continue to do for Berkshire seniors. We have heard that this is a challenging budget year and a tight budget. We understand that there are many competing needs for what is ultimately a limited amount of state dollars, and that difficult choices must be made. As these choices are made, it is important that we recognize the choice of seniors — the overwhelming preference really — to remain at home, and that if or when they need long-term care services, to receive those services at home. We must honor this preference as best we can. As we discuss limited state dollars, it is also important to keep in mind that home and community-based services are cost effective and a very efficient use of these limited state dollars.”
Each of the Berkshire legislative delegation was provided the opportunity to respond to a series of questions asked by seniors and advocates. Questions touched upon issues important to seniors who desire to live independently and with dignity while enjoying the highest possible quality of life and included: home and community-based care choices,
adequate funding for Councils on Aging since they provide a gateway to services for seniors, suggestions on how to enhance advocacy on important issues, workforce development for direct care workers, increasing access to in-home mental health services for seniors, bulk purchasing to offset the high costs of prescription drugs, sufficient funding to support Meals on Wheels, transportation for seniors in rural Berkshire county, strengthening special care units for dementia diseases like Alzheimer’s, and increasing the means to support family caregivers.
Although there has been progress over the past few years in providing more home and community-based services for seniors, the legislators acknowledged there is still more to be done in Boston. We in Berkshire County are fortunate to have a delegation that is united in its support for funding for home and community-based services that meet the needs of Berkshire seniors.
Four of the top budget priorities needed to assure adequate home and community-based services for elders are additional funding for Meals on Wheels, Home Care and Care Management, the Enhanced Community Options Program (ECOP), and the Councils on Aging.
1. Elder Lunch Program - Meals on Wheels (line item 9110-1900). Last year Elder Services prepared almost 260,000 meals in our Lanesboro kitchen - an average of more than 1,000 meals a day Monday through Friday. Our Meals on Wheels drivers traveled over 224,000 miles to deliver more than 208,000 of these meals to homebound seniors
- an increase of 5,000 home delivered meals from the year before. The remaining 51,000 meals were served at 14 lunch sites throughout the county. This program provides a lifeline for Berkshire seniors and has been under funded for years, while the cost of preparing, serving, and delivering the meals has continued to increase.
2. Home Care and Care Management - (line items 9110-1630 and 9110-1633). The Home care program provides in-home assistance with personal care needs such as dressing, bathing, and bathroom assistance, and with homemaking.
3. Enhanced Community Options Program - ECOP (line item 9110-1500). The ECOP program provides a higher or enhanced level of the in-home services provided by the Home Care program. Both programs serve lower income Berkshire seniors who are not yet financially eligible for MassHealth. The seniors served by the ECOP program are clinically eligible for a nursing home, but are able to remain at home and receive the long-term care services they need in their own home. Here in Berkshire County, we are serving more than 1,000 seniors a month in our Home Care and ECOP programs. Appropriate funding must be available to meet the need for these services and to avoid waiting lists. No one should have to wait to receive services for which they are eligible.
4. Councils on Aging - COAs (line item 9110-9002). Services provided by Berkshire County Councils on Aging include information and referral, transportation, outreach, food distribution programs, health education and screening, and fitness, social, and recreational opportunities. Under the current funding formula, each COA is allocated $6.30 per senior per year. It is hoped that this amount can be increased to at least $7.00 per senior per year.
The Legislative Forum was filmed by Pittsfield Community TV and will be broadcast throughout the Berkshires during the month. Check your television listings for times, dates and stations.
