Area Legislators Attend MVES' Annual Legislative Event

Mystic Valley Elder Services’ (MVES) annual legislative breakfast held on March 24 was well attended, with area legislators from MVES’ eight-community service area and beyond in attendance. This year’s event was co-hosted by Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Stephen “Stat” Smith. It emphasized the importance of maintaining and expanding funding for state home care programs that enable elders and individuals with disabilities to remain in the community.

“We really appreciate that so many of our area legislators came to MVES today to join in the community-based care discussion,” said MVES Executive Director Daniel J. O’Leary. “Community-based care makes sense for elders and taxpayers alike because the cost of delivering services in the community is significantly less than the cost of the alternative, nursing home care.”

O’Leary encouraged the delegation to continue to request funding for home care programs, even in these difficult economic times.

Event attendees listened to the real-life stories of two people receiving services from MVES. Both speakers—an individual with disabilities under the age of 60 and a caregiver whose wife is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease—described how community-based services are allowing them to maintain their independence at home.