Aging security is partially supported by: AARP Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs speaks with attendees at the 2024 Legislative Forecast Luncheon hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Chase Field in Phoenix on January 5, 2024.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says she wants to improve care and accountability in long-term care facilities. Her budget reflects that.. But for low-income seniors who want to age at home but need support, not so much.
largely senior citizen I want to grow old there. However, this is not always possible without someone's help.
Mary Lynn Kasnick, CEO of the Maricopa County Area Agency on Aging, said last year's state budget included $5 million for aging services. But it only happened once. Still, she was hopeful that she would receive some funding in this year's budget.
“We had a really big impact… so we had a really big impact on reducing the waiting list,” she explained. And that waiting list had more than 1,500 people on it a year and a half before her.
With the $5 million in assistance, “we were able to reduce our waiting list to about 288 people,” Kasnick said.
She added that due to current budget constraints, “we will have to reduce services to approximately 2,000 customers receiving home services.” Respite support, help with bathing and grocery shopping, etc.
“We are concerned that the issue of aging is not one of the top priorities, but we as Regional Agency Commissioners will go to Parliament and make the case that all or at least some of that funding will be restored. We're going to see if that's the case,'' Kasnich said.
She said it may have to reduce or reduce service to about 2,000 customers. Aging at home may be less expensive than aging in a residential facility, including assisted living.
