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From the Director
New year brings new challenges…
By Robert P. Dean
As we begin the new year, we are faced with many challenges and uncertainties - nationally, statewide, and locally. The economic forecast remains cloudy and we continue to hear that the economy will most likely get worse before it gets better. A recent survey by the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) released in December 2008, reports that as result of the downturn in the economy, there has been an increase nationally in requests for senior services such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, and home heating assistance. Many states also reported a significant increase in reports of elder abuse to their Protective Services programs. The increased need for services is particularly challenging as state budgets are tightening. The NASUA survey reports that nearly 70% of states are anticipating cuts in programs for older Americans and individuals with disabilities in 2009, and that 80% of states reported waiting lists in 2008 for their Meals on Wheels programs.
Here in Massachusetts, statewide funding for in-home and community based services has been reduced as a result of the state 9C budget cuts implemented in October 2008. Locally, Elder Services continues to try to meet the challenges imposed by these cuts. Our core Home Care programs (State Home Care, Enhanced Community Options, and Choices), help seniors to continue to live in their own homes with dignity and independence by providing essential in-home assistance with such basic personal care activities as bathing, getting dressed and ready for the day, and assistance in the bathroom. As a result of the 9C cuts, we have been mandated to serve 80 fewer Berkshire seniors in our State Home Care program. These are seniors, who need and are eligible for in-home assistance through the State Home Care program, but will be unable to receive the services they need because of the 9C reduction to the program. They will be forced to wait for services they need until such time as there is an “opening” in the program. No one should have to wait to receive essential services for which they eligible.
Many other Elder Services programs, including Enhanced Community Options, Caregiver, and Meals on Wheels have also been adversely affected. Our Nutrition/Meals on Wheels program, which provides a hot, nutritious, noontime meal and a wellness check to frail home-bound seniors, prepared over a quarter million meals this past year. Our Meals on Wheels drivers traveled over 220,000 miles going anywhere and everywhere in Berkshire County where there was a need. The Meals program has been dangerously under funded for years even as the cost of preparing, serving, delivering the meals has continued to increase. We are basically trying to manage a 2008 budget with 1995 dollars. Despite increased demand, Meals on Wheels does not have a waiting list at this time. We hope keep it that way.
As we consider the challenges that lie ahead in 2009, it is important consider where we’ve been, where we are today, and where we want to Elder Services was formed in 1974. This past year, we served more 10,000 seniors, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities, supporting them in their desire to continue to live in their own homes and communities, with dignity and independence, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life. In 2009, we celebrate our 35th year of service to Berkshire seniors and the Berkshire community. A new year offers new hope new opportunity... and we remain hopeful. Elder Services appreciates tremendous community support we receive throughout Berkshire County. We will continue to work tirelessly to provide the highest level of service and to be there when needed. We will continue to advocate for true choice regarding long-term care services, so that seniors and individuals with disabilities can receive their long-term care services in their own homes communities, if that is their choice. And, we will continue to believe you can get there from here.
On behalf of Elder Services, I would like to wish each and every of you a happy, healthy new year.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services.