Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth as flowers and warm weather enter our system. The harsh cold of winter is shaken off and we start making space for the lovely season ahead. But in thinking solely of new life, we leave out an important group, our aging Virginians, and many of whom rely on our government to help thrive from this season to the next. In the coming weeks, two amendments to Virginia’s budget will be voted on to support the older adults in our care. It is up to us to encourage our legislators to pass them both, and to be the support our older Virginians need.
One of these amendments is the Auxiliary Grant, which provides funding to those who receive Supplemental Security Income, and other older, blind or disabled individuals who reside in licensed assisted-living communities. Yet, the Auxiliary Grant is not able to substantially cover the cost of the residents it serves. Many long term care communities are forced to turn to outside assistance to financially support its residents.
This is a significant problem. As a large percentage of the resident’s cost of care is not covered, many providers are forced to choose not to participate in this program. The budget amendment up for discussion will expand the funding for this imperative grant and allow for more of our community’s older adults to get the long term care that they need.
Another amendment on the docket for Virginia’s budget that must pass seeks to provide an increase to the Medicaid waiver reimbursement rate for adult day services. Adult day is an economical alternative to a long-term care community where older adults, and their families, can benefit socially, physically and emotionally. These communities provide a supportive environment and include the essential services an older adult might find themselves in need of. Similar to the Auxiliary Grant, we see that the state funding for adult day in the commonwealth doesn’t cover the necessary costs associated with caring for our older adults.
Very few Virginians can truly afford the cost of long term care as they age. Each adult requires a particular set of needs met throughout the years that might range from assistance driving at night all the way to around-the-clock support in a long-term care community. We lean on our legislators to put our best interests at heart as they seek to support ourselves and our community as we age. Expanding the Auxiliary Grant and increasing the Medicaid waiver reimbursement rate for adult day services might just be the difference between barely getting by and thriving as older adults in our state. Virginians within their later years deserve our backing as they seek to get the care and support system that they have earned.
Our state legislators need to know that we care about our aging Virginians, that we all deserve our government to emphasize their care, and that this should be reflected in Virginia’s budget as we move forward in 2023 and beyond. I implore you to consider the impact that these two amendments might have on your own care in 10, 20 or even 30 years. Now is the time to take action and stand up for Virginia’s older adults.
Spring might be the season of rejuvenation, but it should also be the season of reflection. How can we better serve those who spent their lives serving us? We have an opportunity that can undoubtedly make a difference in the life of an older adult you may know, so urge your legislators today to pass these important amendments to our budget.
Dana Parsons is vice president and legislative counsel for LeadingAge Virginia, an association of not-for-profit aging services organizations with headquarters in Glen Allen.
