Help support funding for home, community based services

By Michael E. Festa

We know that the most vulnerable among us must be protected. The aging population of Massachusetts will continue to grow along with the unique issues related to health, long-term care and financial security. People over age 65 represent the fastest growing age group in the state and nearly 1.5 million will reach 65 years of age or older by 2030, according to the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute.

AARP believes that as Americans live longer they should choose, with their families, the living environment that best meets their needs — whether that is home or community-based services or a residential facility.

AARP envisions that all Americans with needs for long-term assistance or those with disabilities will have the necessary services and supports. Those receiving such assistance will live in homes and communities of their choosing and will control decisions about services to enable them to live as independently as possible.

AARP Massachusetts is working to give individuals, their families and their caregivers control over their care by prioritizing services that are home and community based — such as assistance with meal preparation, bathing and dressing — as well as assistive technologies and modifications that may be made to home and community environments.

Further, to meet Americans’ long-term care needs, we must do the following:

•increase the number of nursing aides and other direct care staff;

•raise caregiver wages and improve benefits;

•show caregivers more respect for the work they do;

•allow caregivers to give more input about caregiving.

Families and friends, who currently provide the vast majority of needed long-term services and supports to persons with disabilities and those aged 65 and over, should receive assistance when and where they need it.

According to a recent study by the AARP Public Policy Institute, the overwhelming majority of those in need of long-term services and supports wish to live in their own homes and communities as they age.

AARP Massachusetts supports fully funding home and community based services to help people stay in their own home and their community as a first option. This includes strengthening and rebalancing long term services and supports — from high quality, affordable skilled nursing facilities to home care — for today’s seniors and those who will need these services in the coming decades. Family caregivers also need assistance, including education and training.

Further, AARP Massachusetts supports funding for programs that help individuals pay relatives and friends who provide care.

Most people have relationships that make up their life — from family and friends and the community, to work and institutions and organizations that value their contributions and energy. Those relationships define who they are and why they matter. Community services, supports and social opportunities for older adults through councils on aging and senior centers are integral to a high quality of life, and can reduce the damaging impact of social isolation for older adults by creating new connections to one’s community.

Also, ensuring safe, affordable and reliable public transportation alternatives through the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and Regional Transit Authorities can help those with long-term care needs and and/or those with disabilities live independently in their communities.

AARP looks forward to continuing its work to improve the quality of life of 50-plus residents of the Commonwealth. Join us and take action by calling the AARP Massachusetts advocacy hotline at 888-259-9789. Listen to the message, then enter your zip code to be connected to your legislator and urge him or her to fully fund home and community-based services.