Advocacy Update

Advocates gave seniors a voice during Ohio budget struggle

Council on Aging care manager, Pam; PASSPORT client, Pauline; and State Rep. Danny Bubp

This summer, as Ohio lawmakers tried to balance a budget with a $3.2 billion deficit, hundreds of people worked behind the scenes to make sure legislators understood the value of home and community-based services for disabled adults and seniors.

Even though PASSPORT and the Assisted Living Waiver received funding cuts in the final budget, the cuts could have been much worse were it not for the efforts of Ohio's aging network.

The state's aging network -- including Council on Aging (COA) and the other Area Agencies on Aging -- worked with Ohio AARP to sponsor several statewide call-in days. COA staff, board members, providers, clients, community members and others across the state sent messages to elected officials via phone and e-mail to express their support for programs like PASSPORT, the Assisted Living Waiver, and other senior services such as transportation and meals.

The message to legislators was simple:

Home and community-based care is the solution with the biggest impact for Ohio's budget problems. Home care is compassionate and cost-effective!
Allow seniors to remain in their homes. Do not cut PASSPORT, Assisted Living or Senior Center Services, such as transportation.

After a call-in day in June, Ohio legislators contacted the Ohio Department of Aging and asked the office to "call off the advocates." Sen. Mark Wagoner's aides reported they had received 400 calls by 10:30 a.m., and aides for Rep. Vern Sykes and Sen. Dale Miller reported they couldn't get any work done due to the call volume.

Council on Aging's CEO, Suzanne Burke, wrote letters to the editors of community newspapers and appeared as a guest columnist in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Even though a budget has been approved, advocacy continues. COA has been meeting with legislators to explain the affects of the cuts; a waiting list has begun for PASSPORT and the Assisted Living Waiver. COA care managers are taking lawmakers to clients' homes so they can learn firsthand the benefit of these programs. See PASSPORT Client Visit photos below.

COA's Advocacy Committee thanks everyone who took time to advocate on behalf of Ohio's seniors and disabled adults. To learn more about COA's advocacy efforts or to get involved, visit our Web site.

[back to top]

PASSPORT Client Visits

PASSPORT provides in-home services such as home-delivered meals, personal care, home medical equipment and transportation to low-income, disabled older adults. More than 3,300 older adults in southwestern Ohio receive care in their homes through PASSPORT, instead of in a nursing home. PASSPORT and another Medicaid waiver program -- Assisted Living -- received substantial funding cuts with the passage of Ohio's budget in July. Even though the budget has been approved, COA has been meeting with legislators to explain the affects of the cuts and care managers are taking lawmakers to clients' homes so they can learn firsthand the benefit of these programs.

	^{Pictured L to R: Senator Eric Kearney; Odie, PASSPORT client; and Odie's son.}
On June 5, Senator Eric Kearney (D-District 9, Hamilton County) visited with PASSPORT client Odie and her son in Odie's Bond Hill home. Odie asked Senator Kearney to "Please fight for PASSPORT; it helps seniors like me. I need PASSPORT to stay safe and independent at home." Sen. Kearney replied, "That is exactly what I intend to do. The program helps seniors to remain in their homes and it helps the state save money."
	^{Pictured L to R: Monica, PASSPORT care manager; Frenchman, PASSPORT client; Senator Eric Kearney; and Ella, PASSPORT client.}
On June 5, Senator Eric Kearney (D-District 9, Hamilton County) visited with PASSPORT clients Frenchman and Ella in their Northside home. Frenchman and Ella said, "We have been married 60 years and we want to stay together. The PASSPORT program allows us to do that and we do not want to go into a nursing home." Monica is wonderful and does an excellent job," Kearney said. "I strongly support the PASSPORT home care program and believe that seniors deserve choices in where they live."
	_{Pictured L to R: COA care manager, Nancy; Rep. Ron Maag; and PASSPORT client Gertrude}
On June 1, Rep. Ron Maag (R: District 35; Warren/Hamilton Counties) visited with PASSPORT client Gertrude in her South Lebanon home. Gertrude's COA care manager, Nancy, was also present. Rep. Maag said, "I am just learning about the PASSPORT program and recognize how beneficial it is for seniors and for the state." Gertrude had dressed up for her visit with Maag and told him: "I would be in a nursing home without it and I am very grateful for the PASSPORT program and for Nancy."
	^{Pictured L to R: Rep. Dale Mallory; PASSPORT client Willa; COA care manager, Monica}
On June 23, Rep. Dale Mallory (D: District 32 Hamilton County) visited with PASSPORT client Willa in her West End home. Willa's care manager, Monica, was also present. Willa told Mallory, "I have been independent all of my life and want to continue to do so. PASSPORT lets me stay in my own home." Mallory said, "It is my goal to serve seniors and adequate funding for the PASSPORT program is critical."
	_{Pictured L to R: Mary's home health aide; Rep. Dale Mallory; PASSPORT client, Mary; and PASSPORT care manager Monica}
On June 23, Rep. Dale Mallory (D: District 32 Hamilton County) visited with PASSPORT client Mary in her West End home. Mary's home health aide, and her care manager, Monica, were also present. Mary told Mallory, "You better do all you can in Columbus for the PASSPORT program. I would be in a nursing home without it and Monica makes sure that I have what I need to keep me safe and to keep me going." Mallory said he believes in the PASSPORT program and will continue to do all he can for seniors and their right to have choices in where they receive care.
	^{Pictured L to R: Representative Joe Uecker; Betty; COA care manager, Marjie (standing); and David, Betty's husband.}
On Aug. 5, Ohio State Representative Joe Uecker (R: District 66 Clermont County) visited with PASSPORT client Betty in her Milford home. Betty's husband David and her COA care manger, Marjie, were also present. Betty said, "I am an all around happy go lucky gal with numerous health problems and I am so grateful for the option to remain at home. PASSPORT has done wonders for me and keeps me from worrying about going into a nursing home. Marjie is my favorite person." Rep. Uecker told Betty, "I am sorry that PASSPORT suffered budget cuts. It is important for people to remain in their own homes. I am glad this program has enabled you to stay at home with David. I strongly support the PASSPORT program and how it helps my constituents stay at home."
	_{Pictured L to R: COA care manager, Pam; Pauline; and State Rep. Danny Bubp}
On July 31, State Representative Danny Bubp (R: District 88 Clermont County) visited with PASSPORT client Pauline in her Owensville home. Pauline's COA care manager, Pam, was also present. Pauline told Rep. Bubp, "This program (PASSPORT) keeps me alive and independent and I am so happy to be in my own apartment. I get the help I need through this wonderful program and am able to maintain my quality of life. Without it I would be withering in a nursing home." She added, "Pam is just incredible and helps me so." "I believe that seniors should have a choice in where they live and that the option should always remain open without a waiting list," Rep. Bubp said. "I will continue to fight for this program and include discussions in my news articles." An article written by Rep. Bubp about PASSPORT recently appeared in Clermont County newspapers. "You are one very peppy fella and I am thankful you are my representative," Pauline told Bubp. "Please help us."

[back to top]

Legislative Meetings

As Ohio legislators worked to solve the state's budget crisis, Council on Aging held legislative meetings with local lawmakers to discuss the value of home and community-based care programs like PASSPORT and the Assisted Living Waiver. Home and community-based care options help preserve dignity and independence for seniors who want to stay in their own homes instead of moving to a nursing home. These programs also offer the state a great value in terms of cost -- Medicaid can provide care to three people in their homes for the same cost to provide care to one person in a nursing home.

	_{Pictured L to R: Ken Wilson, COA's director of Programs and Planning; Bill Thornton, COA Board Member, Warren County; State Rep. Ron Maag (R: District 35 Hamilton/Warren counties); Suzanne Burke, COA chief executive officer; and Phil Masten, COA Board Member, Warren County.}

	_{Pictured L to R: Suzanne Burke, COA chief executive officer; Ed Rust, COA Board Member, Clermont County; Sen. Bill Seitz (R: District 8 Hamilton County); and Ken Wilson, COA's director of Programs and Planning.}

	_{Pictured L to R: Ken Wilson, COA's director of Programs and Planning; Rep. Joe Uecker (R: District 66 Clermont County); Ed Rust, COA Board Member, Clermont County; and Suzanne Burke, COA chief executive officer.}

	_{Pictured L to R: Richard Kidd, COA's Elderly Services Program manager; Polly Doran, COA Advocacy coordinator; and Rep. Danny Bubp (R: District 88 Clermont County).}

	_{Pictured L to R: Ken Wilson, COA director of Programs and Planning; Laurie Petrie, COA communications director; and Ohio State Representative Peter Stautberg (R: District 34 Hamilton County).}

	_{Pictured L to R: Ohio State Representative Dale Mallory (D: District 32 Hamilton County); COA CEO, Suzanne Burke; and Ken Wilson.}

[back to top]

Council on Aging Board Member Home Visits

	^{Pictured L to R: Deanna Webster, Lucille, and ESP care manager Jen.}
On June 19, Hamilton County Elderly Services (HCESP) Advisory Council member Deanna Webster visited ESP client, Lucille, in her Hamilton County home. Lucille said she is well cared for by ESP, her care manager, Jen, and her family. "I don't know what I would do without any of them," Lucille said. Ms. Webster loved the visit and said noted that the bond between Lucille and Jen was very evident. "What a wonderful program," she said.
	_{Pictured L to R: Pam, COA care manager; Lena, PASSPORT client; and Cynthia Wright, COA board member.}
On July 7, COA Board Member Cynthia Wright (Clermont County), visited with PASSPORT client Lena in her Clermont County home. Ms. Wright said she thoroughly enjoyed her visit with Lena and COA care manager, Pam, and said the meeting gave her an excellent picture of COA's mission. Lena told Ms. Wright, "Without PASSPORT, I would be in a nursing facility. I have always been very independent and the program allows me to remain so." She added, "Pam takes such good care of me."

[back to top]

Hamilton County Elderly Services Program Client Visits

_{Pictured L to R: ESP care manager, Russ; daughter/caregiver, Dolores; and Cincinnati City Councilman, Chris Bortz}

On Aug. 17, Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Bortz visited the Pleasant Ridge home of Elderly Services Program (ESP) client Anna and her daughter/caregiver Dolores. Anna's COA care manager, Russ, was also present.

Dolores said the Elderly Services Program helps her care for her mother, Anna, at home. Anna is 103 years old, with a keen sense of humor. Anna, who slept in another room during the councilman's visit, enjoys being able to stay at home.

"Without it (ESP), we would be up a creek because I am 85 and our other family thought we could use a little help, Dolores said. "We are fortunate to have this great program and to be together. Russ does a wonderful job."

Councilman Bortz said he is very supportive of ESP and said that seniors should have the option of remaining safe and independent at home with services. "That's where we all want to be," he said.

[back to top]

Bed bug Town Hall Meeting

^{Pictured L to R: Council on Aging CEO, Suzanne Burke; Rep. Mallory; Mary Day, Pro Seniors}

On June 29, 2009, Rep. Dale Mallory (D: District 32 Hamilton County) hosted his third town hall meeting in Roselawn to discuss progress and solutions for the region's ongoing battle with bed bugs. Rep. Mallory is proposing a training program that will certify interested community members in bed bug eradication.

The panel of guest speakers included Council on Aging's CEO, Suzanne Burke; Mary Day, ProSeniors' Long-term Care Ombudsman; and Rep. Mallory. Town hall participants were encouraged to contact members of Cincinnati City Council to ask for funding for bed bug inspections

[back to top]