Governor's Commitment to Older Adults Apparent in Executive Budget

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                   Contact:  Shirley Bentsen

February 10, 2012                                                                                                               (517) 373-8765

 

 

Governor’s Commitment to Older Adults Apparent in Executive Budget

Much-needed funding increases recommended for aging services and programs

 

LANSING – Governor Snyder’s commitment to older adults was further demonstrated by his support for increased funding for aging programs in his Executive Budget, as announced on February 9. The Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) is slated to receive an additional $1.1M for programs and services. Other departments throughout the state are also seeing funding increases for older adult programs, including Adult Protective Services and the MI Choice Home and Community-based Waiver.

 

“It is refreshing to have discussions about funding increases,” said Kari Sederburg, Director of Office of Services to the Aging. “OSA has not seen a significant funding increase in more than a decade, which has significantly challenged the aging network to maintain the highest quality of services at a time when the sheer number of older adults in Michigan is growing – 1.9M and counting.”

 

The Governor’s  budget recommends continuing funding levels for all of OSA’s programs and services, and includes additional ongoing funding of nearly $1M to enhance three program areas: increased access to statewide information and assistance through Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Alzheimer’s and dementia identification and support, and elder abuse prevention.

 

The Governor is also recommending an additional one-time only $250,000 for elder abuse training, reporting systems and other efforts to complement pending elder abuse legislation, which he has publicly supported.

 

“I commend Governor Snyder for his ongoing support and concern for the older adults of Michigan. He has shown it through his support of critical elder abuse legislation, home and community-based service options, and now through a financial commitment. These programs are critical for the well-being of older adults in our state, and we thank him for recognizing this.” said Sederburg.

 

In addition to the recommended funding increases to OSA, Governor Snyder has also shown his support of the older adult population in other areas of the budget. He has recommended an $11M increase in funding for the MI Choice Home and Community-based Waiver, which allows individuals to receive supports and services in the setting of their choice, and $3.1M dedicated to transitioning individuals out of nursing home settings if they are eligible to live in a community-based setting.

 

Other funding for aging-related services includes an increase of $2.9 for Adult Protective Services to better protect our older adults; $1.6M for expansion of PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) that provides comprehensive long term supports and services to Medicaid and Medicare enrollees; and $65M to assist more individuals in Veteran’s homes.

 

For more information on Governor Snyder’s Executive Budget, please visit www.michigan/budget.

 

The Office of Services to the Aging is an agency of the State of Michigan whose mission is to provide leadership, innovation, advocacy, and policy on behalf of Michigan’s older adults and their caregivers.  For more information contact the Office of Services to the Aging at (517) 373-8230 or visit www.michigan.gov/miseniors.