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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > February > 22 > Entry
Wait lists for seniors to be eliminated
Gov. Ted Strickland moved Monday, Feb. 22, to eliminate wait lists by the end of March for seniors who need in-home care and assisted living programs.
Currently, 592 people are on waiting lists for these services, including 163 in the Dayton and Springfield areas. “We should do our best to support older Ohioans who prefer to live independently in their own homes, but need assistance along the way,” Strickland said. “We have identified existing funds that will allow us to assist all seniors eligible for home and community-based care without a wait.”
As a way to help balance its budget, the state Department of Aging implemented waiting lists for the services. But that in turn causes the state Department of Job and Family Services to see higher costs when seniors are forced to move into nursing homes because in-home services aren’t available.
Strickland is calling for $4.8 million in JFS funds be transferred to the aging department for the services. The transfer is subject to state Controlling Board approval.
AARP Ohio and Ohio Area Agencies on Aging both praised the move.
“We applaud Gov. Ted Strickland for proposing this cost-effective method of ensuring that older Ohioans are able to receive the right services, at the right time, in the right place. Eliminating the waiting list for long-term care services is not only fiscally responsible, it is the answer many older Ohioans and their families seek,” said Jane Taylor, state director of AARP Ohio.
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