Romney’s Commitment to Elders Essential

As an advocate for community-based services for the elderly, I applauded Governor Mitt Romney’s comments regarding the elderly in his State of the State speech. The Governor’s statement that not taking care of elders at home is “one of the greatest travesties in our state” was accurate. The remark hit the bull’s-eye.

At MVES, we believe seniors want to be cared for at home, and the U.S. Supreme Court has gone even further by saying that disabled people of all ages have the right to be cared for in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. It is encouraging that the Governor seems to be in agreement with federal opinion.

We still need to remember, however, that state funds for the largest home care program in the state have been frozen for three years running. Moving seniors into home care settings and out of institutions is good for elders and saves money for taxpayers. It’s a win-win situation.

Although the Governor’s remarks were encouraging, the real measure comes this week with the release of the Governor’s budget for home care. If we’re going to end this travesty we have to rebalance how our state spends its long term care dollars—and stop being overly-reliant on institutional care. Quality nursing home care must be a last resort, not a first resort.

Through the “Community Choices” program, the state has demonstrated that elders at risk of nursing home care can be cared for in the community at 50% of the cost of a nursing home. More than 8,000 seniors in Massachusetts have been identified by nursing homes as preferring to be cared for at home.

We have a real challenge ahead of us. It’s good to have the Governor’s moral and financial support. The great news is that policy makers are recognizing what elders and families have always wanted.