Susan Kohler - December 07, 2005
Missoula Aging Services
White House Conference on Aging
KUFM DECEMBER 7, 2005
Good evening, I’m Susan Kohler, Executive Director of Missoula Aging Services the area agency on aging for Missoula and Ravalli counties. Tonight I want to talk to you about the White House Conference on Aging, an event that only happens every ten years and which I have received the honor of being selected as one of 8 delegates from the state of Montana. I will be leaving this Saturday to join 1700 delegates from across the country to help develop recommendations to Congress on defining the aging agenda for the next 10 years. As part of the grass roots network of area agencies on aging I will be supporting our national associations agenda pushing for a comprehensive national policy that shifts the focus and funding of long-term care to community-based services as they are essential to meet the needs and address the desires of America’s aging population. Independence, dignity and choice are strongly held values by all Americans, and individuals with physical or cognitive limitations and impairments are no exception. By shifting national policies toward home and community-based service, the quality of life of older adults will improve, taxpayers will be spared the cost of premature and expensive institutional care and our nation’s core values will be honored.
A sound home and community-based system of long-term care provides a coordinated and broad range of services that address the medical, social and environmental needs of the individual. The National Area Agency on Aging Association has proposed nine principles that must be adhered to for a home and community-based system to best meet the needs of those it serves, including the not-too-distant future needs of the baby boomer generation.
These nine proposed principles are simple but difficult under the current focus of the national deficit. However, they are both practical and necessary. The nine principles include
1. Reforming Medicaid. Medicaid is the largest public program financing long-term care and has an inherent bias towards institutionalization. In 1981 Congress established the home and community-based service waiver to attempt to reduce this bias. This waiver allows states to fund supportive services to eligible individuals in their homes as opposed to a nursing home. Unfortunately, after 24 years the process for states to receive this waiver to provide this option to our elders is burdensome despite the fact that is proven to be more cost effective. We want to see less emphasis on nursing homes under Medicaid.
2 Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and increase financial support. The Older Americans Act was enacted in 1965 and is the foundation of services for older adults throughout the country. Missoula Aging Services is part of this system yet funding for the programs under this act has not kept pace with inflation or the growing population of individuals eligible for services.
3 Enhance support for Family Caregivers. Current statistics say that 23 percent or 22.4 million households are involved in caregiving to persons age 50 and older. We want to see funding increased to provide support services for caregivers. There is no way our country’s formal systems can take the place of caregivers so we need to provide them support through respite and other in-home services.
4 Affordable and accessible housing for older adults. In addition, greater coordination needs to occur between housing and service providers to guarantee that support services, such as meals, personal assistance and housekeeping, as well as health services, are readily available and easily obtainable.
5 Increase the availability of Transportation. Feelings of isolation and loss have been reported among older adults who can no longer use personal automobiles. Access to medical care, shopping for daily essentials and the ability to participate in recreational and religious activities is all a part of healthy aging.
6 Design Responsive Mental Health Services. Good mental health is fundamental to the well being of older adults and has a major impact on quality of life and optimal functioning. Yet, as the U.S. Surgeon General’s 1999 report on mental health points out, too many older adults struggle with mental disorder that compromise their ability to participate fully in life. Policymakers must work toward resolving current challenges in the design and delivery of mental health services that affect quality of life for the older population.
7 Expand Nutrition and Wellness Programs. Good nutrition and daily physical activity both play important roles in preventing or forestalling the onset of chronic conditions as well as reducing the effects of exiting conditions. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on the development and expansion of programs that promote sound nutrition and increased physical activity at the federal, state and local level. Meals on Wheels, Senior Center Congregate meals and the Senior Diner Club are local examples of successful nutrition programs. However, they are always struggling to maintain enough funding to prevent a waiting list.
8 Increase Efforts to prevent Elder Abuse and Neglect. The dependence on others for care and assistance whether at home or in a facility leaves older adults, especially the most frail, vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Greater outreach and educational efforts and increased collaboration prevent and decrease all types of elder abuse.
9 Collaborate on Solutions to Workforce shortages. At a time when an increasing percentage of the population needs direct care services, our nation is facing a serious shortage of workers in this industry. Policymakers need to work collaborately with works unions, service providers and consumer to recruit and retain a stable, reliable workforce.
The National Area Agency on Aging Association is focusing on these nine principles to support Community Services. There are several other categories being reviewed too. You can look up the White House Conference on Aging on the web for more details or contact me at 728-7682. Have a happy and safe holiday season, Reach out to an elder in your life and let them know you care and thanks for listening.
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