By Paulette Porter, Chief Operating Officer, CareWell Services Southwest
Do you ever wonder who is looking out for your best interest when it comes to policies and government? CareWell Services Southwest is advocating on your behalf!
CareWell Services is the Area Agency on Aging serving Barry and Calhoun counties. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are nonprofit organizations that serve older adults across the United States. Our focus is on providing services and programs to help adults stay healthy, independent, and maintain their choices as they age.
In addition to our services, we also work together with other AAAs to advocate for seniors and caregivers in our local, state, and federal government. Together the AAAs of Michigan are a part of an association that identifies important issues for seniors across our state each year and we work to make your voices heard.
The AAA Association of Michigan (4AM) has identified the following advocacy priorities for 2024:
Ombudsman Expansion. The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCO) “strives to improve the quality of care and quality of life experienced by residents who reside in licensed long term care facilities,” according to the program’s website. 4AM supports a permanent increase in the MDHHS budget to achieve and maintain an increase in appropriation for the LTCO program to reduce the existing burdens on LTC Ombudsmans.
MI Choice Issues. The MI Choice Waiver program provides in-home services for low-income, Medicaid-eligible adults who are medically frail and whose care needs would otherwise require nursing home care. 4AM has identified several priorities related to MI Choice, including an increase in rates paid to providers to meet operational and service costs, and an increase of the participant asset limit to reflect inflation and allow more individuals who need support to qualify.
Caregiver Support. We understand the importance of family and informal caregivers and we are committed to supporting them. 4AM supports a permanent increase in appropriation in the state budget to provide AAAs with funds to continue to develop Caregiver Resource Centers, educational opportunities, and additional support for caregivers.
Direct Care Worker (DCW) Wages. DCWs provide important support for many seniors. 4AM supports permanently increasing the DCW wage supplement by $4 per hour.
Nutrition. Healthy food choices are crucial for seniors, especially those who are home-bound and unable to easily access food. 4AM supports an increase to the budget that will eliminate the existing waitlists for home-delivered meals for seniors.
Rebalancing Medicaid Long-Term Care Funding. Michigan currently directs 37% of Medicaid LTC funding toward home and community-based services, with the remaining budget directed to facilities. Rebalancing this funding would provide more opportunities for seniors to receive needed services without being placed in a skilled nursing facility, while saving taxpayer dollars.. 4AM supports rebalancing Medicaid funding in this area to match the national average allotted to home and community-based services, which is 63%.
Home and Community-Based Services. There is a need for home and community based-services for seniors who do not qualify for Medicaid. 4AM supports a permanent increase in the budget to eliminate waitlists for non-Medicaid home and community based-services.
Reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OOA). The OOA is the foundation of our nation’s aging policy. The OOA expires at the end of fiscal year 2024. 4AM supports reauthorizing and modernizing the Act, strengthening the role of AAAs, allowing local innovative approaches, and providing flexibility to deliver services.
Health Equity. Health equity means getting the highest level of health for all people, where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their optimal health regardless of age, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, preferred language, or other factors. 4AM will promote policies and programs that support health for all people served by our programs, eliminating avoidable differences in health outcomes experienced by people who are disadvantaged or underserved.