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From the Director
Elder Independence and Equal Choice
By Robert P. Dean
As we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, we can also celebrate elder independence and the fact that more older Americans are living longer, staying healthier, and remaining more active and engaged in their communities than ever before. Unfortunately, for some seniors there comes a time when activities once taken for granted challenge their ability to live independently. They may need assistance with such activities as cooking, cleaning, getting dressed, managing a checkbook, keeping track of various medications, grocery shopping, transportation, or getting to the bathroom. The fact that a senior needs help with these things should not mean that he or she can no longer live at home. This is where Elder Services comes in. Our goal is to help seniors remain living independently at home. Among the many services we provide are case management, personal care (assistance with getting dressed and ready for the day), housecleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, money management, transportation to medical appointments, companionship, Meals on Wheels, Social and Adult Day Health, Personal Emergency Response Systems, and assistance with health insurance questions. These services should be available in the home and community as needed.
There is a bill currently before the Massachusetts legislature that would give seniors in need of long-term care services the right to choose where they will receive those services. The Equal Choice Bill (numbered S.2273), would allow seniors and individuals with disabilities, who are eligible for MassHealth (Medicaid) benefits, to receive their care in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs, which means that they could choose to receive their care at home. The Equal Choice Bill also looks to ease the income criteria for persons clinically eligible for the Equal Choice benefit so that more seniors and individuals with disabilities would be eligible, and therefore, able to choose where they will receive their long-term care services. The bill does not seek an appropriation of state funding because it is expected that it will cost less to serve individuals in their own homes, and because the federal government will reimburse the state for half of what this Medicaid program will cost. In April, the Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously (37 - 0) in favor of the Equal Choice Bill, which was then sent to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for their consideration. Since that time 137 Representatives (out of a total membership of 160) have signed a letter of support for the Equal Choice Bill. This letter states that the Equal Choice Bill not only “modernizes our MassHealth statute to give elders and the disabled the choice of care in the least restrictive setting”, but also “honors the preference of seniors to be cared for in the most integrated setting, and keeps pace with what families want for their loved ones: care at home”. This letter, which has been signed by all four members of the Berkshire County delegation to the House of Representatives, asks the House Speaker to let the bill reach the House floor for a vote. As we go to press, this important legislation has not yet come to a vote in the House, and there is a concern that the current legislative session may end before it does. Stay tuned...
In the meantime, as this great nation celebrates its independence this Fourth of July, we at Elder Services wish each of you a Happy Independence Day... today and every day. And, if someday, you have a concern for yourself or someone you know, give us a call. We’re here to help.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services