Budget Shortfall Threatens In-Home Care Services

By: Bridget Fargen - Email

Updated: Thu 9:58 PM, Feb 10, 2011

The state's billion dollar budget shortfall could put in-home care services and resources in jeopardy.

Aging partners helps more than 12 thousand older adults stay in a place they're familiar with.

June Pederson is the Director of Aging Partners. She tells 10/11, "People want to stay in their homes as long as possible and we help them."

In order to do that, they require some state funds. Money that's in not in this budget for programs like CASA.

Pederson says, "Community Aging Services Act, for this particular agency, we're looking at cuts of $150,000 to $200,000.

Those cuts would severely reduce services they can provide.

She says, "Maybe they need housing, or help with bathing or someone to get their meds ready on a weekly basis, we can help."

Mark Intermill with the Nebraska chapter of AARP says the problem with these cuts is they force people out of their homes which you will ultimately pay for.

Intermill says, "To be able to provide these services at home and avoid moving to a nursing home, I think we're seeing over the last eight years the move from institutional care to home care has save the state 800 million dollars in Medicaid services."

Intermill says government funded medicaid facility care can cost more than $100 a day, while in home care is much less.

"If we can provide a service at $10 a day to help somebody stay at home, or $20 a day, it's a much better bargain for the state."

Now only time will tell if budget cuts affect this program.

There are several bills in the legislature LB 319, 320, 321 which would jeopardize property tax relief for older and disabled homeowners on fixed incomes.

"AARP is committed to sustaining the homestead exemption program for people who cannot afford to pay their property taxes. We are reluctant to support any change that will limit their access to the program."

Other issues that concern AARP is strengthening consumer protections for the growing number of older Nebraskans who are choosing assisted living and stricter standards for court-appointed guardians and conservators.

LB 401 is a consumer disclosure bill that directs the state to collect information from assisted living facilities about the services, fees and conditions of residence, and allows consumers to compare facilities.

Assisted living facilities would have to provide this information to people when they apply for admission.

LB 157 tightens oversight of guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults, including a requirement for background checks.

Pederson and Intermill say if you want your in-home services to continue without cuts call either Aging Partners, AARP or your state legislator.

For more information on Aging Partners or AARP you can click on the links below.