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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information Saving money and reducing the need for nursing home admission
As the newest member of the Berkshire legislative delegation, I welcome this chance to share my views on long-term care and take this opportunity to highlight a pilot program adopted as part of this year’s budget which is aimed at providing care for seniors within their homes in order to delay or prevent the need for nursing facility care.
As a commonwealth, we must ensure the adequacy of our state health care services so that elders who are able can maintain their independence in their own homes and communities, while at the same time providing for long-term residential care that respects the dignity of the individual. While many elders continue to live independent lives, there are a large number who need long-term care services. In Massachusetts, a quarter of all residents over age 85 live in nursing facilities, while others require home care, home health care, adult day health care or other assisted living services.
According to a recent study, Massachusetts has a larger percentage of its seniors in nursing homes than do many other states. In 2001, 6.8 percent of those over 65 were in nursing homes, compared with 4.4 percent nationally. While we are indeed fortunate that Massachusetts is a nationwide leader in health care, these health care costs have increased at a pace that far outpaces the rate of inflation or state revenue growth. For example, one of the largest line items in the entire budget is focused on providing long term care for elders through the MassHealth program.
As part of this year’s budget, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted a pilot program that promises to make it more effective for family members to care for elders and prevent the need for nursing home care, while at the same time reduce the state’s reliance on expensive institutional care. Known as Caring Homes, this pilot program provides a direct payment to fund care-giving services provided by a family member in the caregiver’s home. It is modeled after a successful Oregon program that has allowed 2,000 seniors to remain in their homes. It is the commonwealth’s hope that this program will reduce the state’s reliance on more expensive long-term care options, while furthering the public policy of ensuring that seniors can live in an integrated, family-oriented setting within their own community.
I believe that this initiative is an excellent example of the innovative approach that we must continue to pursue as a Commonwealth in order to ensure that seniors are afforded the maximum opportunity to remain in their homes and communities whenever possible.