Funding for programs for older Georgians up $7 million

ATLANTA — Advocates for senior citizens in Georgia say the General Assembly session this year resulted in nearly $7 million in new funds for aging services.

Officials with the Georgia Council on Aging say that Gov. Nathan Deal added $2.055 million to reduce waiting lists for in-home care. House and Senate lawmakers added another $2.3 million for Medicaid services for the elderly, and $500,000 for those waiting for meals.

Transitions funding received $1 million, which aging advocates say will help move 167 seniors from nursing homes to community settings. Supplementing the Money Follows the Person program, it will allow more flexibility to meet the needs of those transitioning, advocates say.

Deal also added more than a $1 million for Adult Protective Service workers as the final installment on a three year funding promise.

GCOA officials said work of advocates on an Abuser Registry led to House Bill 1037, sponsored by Rep. Valerie Clark, R-Lawrenceville, which expands the current Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Registry to allow complaints regarding CNAs working in home settings. The bill passed is waiting Deal’s signature to become law.

Two measures that advocates for older Georgians were pushing — HB 684, which would have improved dental care access for elderly Georgians in nursing homes and other safety-net setting, and SB 242, the Family Care Act — did not get past the committee levels in their respective chambers.