More than 14,000 older adults in Butler, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties received services in 2018 that helped them remain independent in their homes, according to the newly released annual reports for each county’s Elderly Services Program (ESP).
The program provides Meals on Wheels, housekeeping help, medical transportation, personal care (such as help with bathing), and other basic services that help disabled older adults remain independent in their homes.
The program also benefits families who are trying to care for older loved ones while working or managing other responsibilities – three out of four U.S. workers have some form of caregiving responsibility (Harvard Business Review).
“I do what I can for my mom – visiting and cooking – but I wouldn’t be able to work without ESP,” said Cheryl, whose mother, Chris, is enrolled in Warren County’s ESP. The family’s story is included in the program’s 2018 report.
On average, across all counties, more than half of seniors enrolled in the Elderly Services Program live alone and more than 70 percent are age 70 or older. Approximately 70 percent of clients are female, with an annual income of about $21,800 and out-of-pocket medical costs of $250 per month. The most common services provided by the program include electronic monitoring systems, home-delivered meals, and help with housekeeping and personal care. These services, combined with help clients may already receive from family or friends, is enough to help an older adult live independently at home.
Most of the funding for the Elderly Services Program comes from county senior services tax levies:
- Hamilton County: The five-year, 1.6-mill levy last appeared on the ballot in 2017 and was approved by 72 percent of voters. The levy costs property owners approximately $40.25 per $100,000 of property value.
- Butler County: The five-year, 1.3-mill levy last appeared on the ballot in 2015 and was approved by 74 percent of voters. The levy costs property owners approximately $39.81 per $100,000 of property value.
- Clinton County: The five-year, 1.5-mill levy last appeared on the ballot in 2016 and was approved by 76 percent of voters. The levy costs property owners approximately $37.67 per $100,000 of property value.
- Warren County: The five-year, 1.21-mill levy last appeared on the ballot in 2016 and was approved by 75.76 percent of voters. The levy costs property owners approximately $34.18 per $100,000 of property value.
The program is a win-win for seniors and taxpayers. On average, the Elderly Services Program can provide in-home care services at a cost to taxpayers of $312 per month, per client. These services can delay or prevent nursing home placement, where the taxpayers’ cost for Medicaid averages more than $4,000 a month.
The reports were prepared by Council on Aging (COA), which administers the Elderly Services Program under contract with the Board of County Commissioners in each county. COA contracts with service providers to deliver in-home care and other services to eligible clients in each county.
Each report includes detailed demographic and financial data as well as a client story. Please visit the annual reports page on our website for easy access to our annual reports. You can request a hard copy via our Contact form.
For information about enrolling in the Elderly Services Program, click here or contact Council on Aging at (513) 721-1025.