Gov. Brian Kemp proposes increased funding for seniors

ATLANTA — Advocates for the elderly are praising Gov. Brian Kemp for proposing funding that could make a difference for 1,000 of the 7,000 older Georgians on waiting lists for home and community services.

Georgia Council on Aging officials said Kemp’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal, unveiled Thursday, includes an extra $1.89 million for a state program that helps the elderly stay in their communities. In response to the waiting lists for Meals on Wheels at the aging agencies across the state, Kemp’s budget includes $945,955 for meals for these seniors.

“We are so grateful to the governor for his insight and budget recommendation,” Vicki Johnson, chair of the state Council on Aging, said. “Not only is this the most cost-efficient way of helping our elderly citizens, but it also allows them to stay in their homes where they prefer to be.”

The state’s home and community-based service, or HCBS, program provides help for eligible elderly Georgians with tasks, such as bathing and dressing, transportation to doctors and home-delivered meals. In FY 2017, about 34,000 Georgians received HCBS assistance, a 9.9 percent increase from the previous year thanks to budget increases.

The council and the 900-plus member Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly, or CO-AGE, are making extra funding for HCBS their top priority for this year’s legislative session. The costs to provide home and community-based care is about one-tenth of the costs of nursing home care, Johnson said.

“It’s far less expensive than the alternatives, and it’s giving our seniors and their families an option they want and need,” she said.

Kemp’s budget recommendations have to be approved by the General Assembly and would be valid for the fiscal year that starts July 1. State aging officials said the budget also includes $338,802 for the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, or ADRC.

The council and CO-AGE asked for a $4 million increase in state funds. The ADRC centers, located throughout the state, provide information and referral services to older Georgians about private and public help that is available. Officials said more than 95,000 Georgians received assistance through the centers in FY 2017 from more than 26,000 community-based providers.

Officials said funds for adult protective service and public guardianship workers, for a total of $1.32 million, are also included in the budget. These public servants meant to help protect Georgia’s vulnerable at-risk adults.

CO-AGE has other legislative priorities including providing affordable housing for people who need help with daily living activities, strengthening penalties and sanctions for personal care homes that do not comply with existing regulations and expanding healthcare coverage for seniors.