I4A Aging Network Alert 10-20-2015
Illinois Aging Network Alert
A weekly report on the impact of the State budget crisis on Illinois seniors and community programs from
I4A ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF AREA AGENCIES ON AGING
Contact: Joy Paeth (618) 222-2561 or Jon Lavin (708) 383-0258
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Service Providers Forced to Reduce Days of Operation – The continuing Illinois Budget Impasse has forced two central Illinois providers of multiple services, including Adult Protective Services, Home Delivered Meals, Congregate Meals, Information and Assistance, and Transportation, to close their doors one full day each week. In another part of the State, an Area Agency on Aging has also closed one day each week. Other service providers around the state will follow suit unless a budget agreement is reached soon.
Pilot Project Halted – the Rock Island area’s Nursing Home Deflection pilot project served 223 people at high risk of nursing home placement, successfully transitioning 93 of them from the hospital and short term nursing home stays back to their own homes in the community before the program was forced to cease operation due to lack of state funding. The program had potentially saved the state over $650,000 before it was halted.
Home Delivered Meals Program Cut by 67% – In FY 2014, the Illinois Aging Network served 5,738,511 Home Delivered Meals. The absence of State funds has reduced FY 2016 funding to Home Delivered Meals programs by two-thirds, leaving providers enough federal funds for approximately 1,850,000 meals. This has resulted in severe reductions in service to the state’s frail, vulnerable homebound elders who rely on Home Delivered Meals for a warm meal and, in many cases, for human contact. Many providers can no longer add new persons to the program, and at least two providers have had to cut people from the program. One Central Illinois provider has had to reduce meal service from five days per week to four and will further reduce serving days to 3 days per week in November. Another meal provider has reduced days of service and has also narrowed its service area.
APS Layoffs Coming – An Adult Protective Services provider is preparing to lay off case workers in November, limiting staff available to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation to over 350 vulnerable adults in McLean and Livingston counties.
This crisis must end! The Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging urges State government leaders to meet immediately, resolve their differences, enact a State Budget with sufficient revenues for FY 2016, and prevent the further loss of essential services and supports that enable older adults to live with dignity at home for as long as possible.