Democrats unveil plan to “take care of our seniors” by increasing access to in-home care

Rocky Mount, VA—House Democratic leaders took the “Change the Assembly” Tour to Rocky Mount and Danville today. House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran held round table discussions with seniors today along with House Democratic candidates Eric Ferguson and Danville City Councilman Adam Tomer.

The number of older Virginians is expected to increase substantially over the next 25 years. By 2010, persons over 60 will comprise 18% of the state’s population. By 2030, one in four Virginians will be over the age of 60, a 120% increase.

Virginians over age 85, the cohort most likely to need long-term care, are the fastest growing segment of the state’s population. AARP research has found that 79 percent of Virginians want to remain independent and receive such services in their homes for as long as possible.

“It’s been said the test of a society is how we take care of our citizens at the dawn and twilight of their lives,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran said. “Our seniors have earned the dignity to live in their own home and ensure they are cared for.”

House leaders announced they would introduce the “Take Care of Our Seniors” proposal that will ensure:

• Expand access to in-home care,
• Provide critical resources and information for aging Virginians to make long-term care plans,
• Expand the program for all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE),
• Increase access to long-term care insurance for employees and owners of small businesses,
• Ensure critical nutrition in-home for seniors.

“Virginia’s aging population will increase nearly 77% in the next decade,” House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong said. “We must make the investments today to ensure the growing numbers of seniors are able to live with the freedom and dignity they have earned.”

“These proposals to make long-term care more available are commonsense and affordable,” said Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mary Margaret Whipple. “They should have been done a long time ago.”

“On Danville City Council, I fought to help seniors lower their electric bills and keep the lights on,” House Democratic candidate Councilman Adam Tomer said. “When I go to the General Assembly in January, I will fight to make sure seniors have the resources to not only keep the lights on but stay in their home.”

As a small businessman, I know how the high cost of insurance causes many businesses financial strain” House Democratic candidate Eric Ferguson said. “It’s why I support giving our small businesses long term care tax credits so they can help Virginians plan for retirement.”

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Democratic Plan to “Take Care of Our Seniors”

Greater access to in-home care by making more personal care and private duty nursing available To assist community-based providers with increasing wages and benefits, and to provide more training and attract a more qualified workforce, we will increase Medicaid reimbursements for personal care and private duty nursing providers by 10%. Only with the ability to attract, retain and reward the best community-based personal care and private duty nursing can we ensure every aging Virginian has the chance to grow old at home.

Provide critical information – Expand ‘No Wrong Door’ Every senior citizen should have ready access to critical information that helps them develop a plan for long-term care. Expansion of the No Wrong Door pilot programs, built using the innovative “Senior Navigator,” will give access points in every community and digital access points online where Virginians can get information, assessments, and case management capabilities.

Expand home-based all-inclusive care program for the elderly The Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a highly successful and innovative approach that keeps seniors out of nursing homes but is not available all across the Commonwealth. This initiative will make initial access to PACE available in Northern Virginia and will expand to additional sites throughout the state wherever feasible.

Increase Access to Long-term care Insurance Provided targeted tax-credits for small businesses that provide long-term care insurance. The surest way for aging Virginians to plan for retirement is to have proper access to long-term care insurance through their employer. However, with the rising cost of other health insurance many businesses struggle to provide that benefit to employees, particularly small business.

Eliminate Waiting List for Home Delivered Meals Currently, the state has a significant waiting list for home delivered meals, a cost effective, proven program to help keep seniors in their own owns. This initiative will eliminate the waiting list for home delivered meals, helping seniors get the nutrition they need where they want it, in their own homes.