AARP Online Community: AARPIL - AARP URGES ILLINOIS GOVERNOR TO STOP CUTS TO CRITICAL SERVICES

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AARP URGES ILLINOIS GOVERNOR TO STOP CUTS TO CRITICAL SERVICES

For Immediate Release Contacts: Gerardo Cardenas 312-458-3609

September 25, 2009

GOVERNOR’S CUTS TO HOME CARE SERVICES TO HAVE DEVASTATING IMPACT ON OLDER ADULTS

AARP Urges Governor to Ensure Critical Services Are Not Depleted

SPRINGFIELD– Older adults living on fixed incomes have been especially affected by the current economic downturn - the last thing they want to hear is that the programs they depend on to receive care in their own homes will be cut. With new cuts to home care services set to roll out in October, AARP is sending a strong message to Governor Quinn: stop the cuts and ensure the state does not deplete the critical home care services older Illinoisans need.

“Thousands of older Illinoisans depend on home and community based services to live independently and avoid costly institutional care,” said Nancy Nelson, AARP Illinois’ Director for Advocacy and Outreach. “These cuts will have a devastating impact on older adults who are already struggling in tough economic times. AARP urges the Governor to stop the cuts and make sure individuals who need these services have full access to them.”

AARP has set up a Home Care Services Hotline, toll-free at 1-888-616-3322, to connect members of the public and advocate organizations directly with the Governor, and urge him to act on this issue.

The Illinois Department on Aging recently sent out notice that in-home care for seniors would be significantly reduced. Nearly 20,000 older Illinoisans will be immediately impacted as the cuts are slated to go into effect in October.

Simultaneously the Department of Public Health announced it will cut funds for the state’s Ombudsman program. Thousands of older Illinoisans living in long term care facilities depend on Ombudsmen to help them protect their rights and intervene on cases of abuse.

A 2009 AARP survey found that more than half of Americans ages 45+ are struggling to pay for essential items – including food, utilities, and prescription drugs, and are increasingly relying on government services and programs to help them through the recession.

A separate AARP study found that, as a result of the economic recession nearly half of Americans ages 45+ are not financially prepared to take care of themselves should they require long term care assistance for an indefinite period of time.