Reforming Long-Term Care in the Garden State
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-05-26 13:23:42.723045-04:00
A problem facing many of New Jersey's older adults who are in need of long-term care services is that they are forced to stay in nursing homes because of current state rules.
Most of the Department of Health & Senior Services' Medicaid funds (83%) are directed toward nursing homes—to the tune of more than $100 million per month—and only the remaining funds are available to those who prefer to live in assisted living facilities or in their own homes.
The State needs to do a better job of providing home and community-based support service options.
A person is allowed to live in a nursing home while applying for Medicaid but is unable to access services at home while waiting. The current process for determining eligibility for services must be shortened to provide needed services faster.
AARP New Jersey has led the way to improve home and community-based options. Last year, Governor Codey signed Executive Order 31 at our long-term care summit, which established a $30 million pilot program whose first goal is to prevent 400 Warren and Atlantic residents from going into nursing homes if they don't need to.
The Order's second goal is to move 500 nursing home residents back into their homes and communities to receive their long-term care. This groundbreaking program has already resulted in 324 people moving from nursing homes back to the community and prevented others from moving into nursing homes.
AARP New Jersey supports the expansion of this program. In March 2006, The Independence, Dignity and Choice in Long-Term Care Act was introduced in the state legislature.
This bill would set up a pilot program in Atlantic and Warren counties in 2007 to expand home- and community-based care options and then expand to every county in the state in 2008. It also provides for a coordinated, statewide long-term care system designed to ensure those who need care receive it, and that state residents have more care choices.
Call to Action
Join AARP's effort to get this important bill passed. AARP believes that everyone has the right to age with dignity. Your phone calls can make the difference. Contact your legislators and urge them to support bill A-2823. To contact your legislators, call toll-free (800) 792-8630.
A Personal Story
Several years ago when Peter Fresulone was the Chief Financial Officer of Berkeley Heights, he had to have an operation on his spine. As a result of this operation he became paralyzed and ended up in a nursing home, losing his own house and community contacts.
He remained in the home for several years and says he felt invisible, as though he was living without an identity.
Then Fresulone heard about the Supreme Court Olmstead ruling which stipulates that states need to provide support in the community for people with disabilities. He wrote several letters to then Governor Christie Todd Whitman who in turn directed him to the Division of Disability Services in the Department of Human Services (DHS).
It took his counselor more than two years to find an affordable and accessible apartment for Fresulone and during this time he was essentially "warehoused" in the nursing home. As soon as Peter moved to his new apartment, he went back on the job market.
Today, Fresulone is the Chief Financial Officer of the Township of Maplewood.
What happened to Fresulone should never happen to another New Jerseyan. Call your legislators about A-2823 today.
Related Articles
- AARP Policy and Research - Topics in Long-Term Care
Other Resources
- Rutgers Center for State Health Policy
- Medicare.gov: What is Long Term Care?
- HCBS/Clearinghouse for Community Living Exchange Collaboration
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