Services For Frail Elderly Need Legislative Help Rsvp, Homemaker And Respite Care Could Be Much More Effective With An Increase In Federal Funds

The Idaho Legislature can help with the aging and graying of Idaho. Many low-cost services can be made more easily available to families and caregivers of the frail elderly.

Three simple but effective services, RSVP, Homemaker, and Respite Care, can help save taxpayers and families money and heartache.

Time still exists for the Legislature to act. And with a growing surplus of $69 million in the state treasury, now would be a good time to strengthen these helpful programs.

Retired Senior Volunteer Programs uses seniors to help other seniors. Rita Tubbs, local RSVP supervisor, said that “Sometimes the volunteers are the only people some elderly see in several days, especially in rural areas.”

RSVP does a “community needs assessment,” and then seeks the volunteers to meet those needs through its 64 volunteer stations. A total of 180 volunteers staff the stations, which are located in facilities like the courthouses, senior centers, schools and food banks. Anyone 55 or older can volunteer or receive services.

The program is funded with 60 percent federal funds and the balance is raised locally. Idaho does not support this service-providing program, as do other states. There are seven RSVP programs operating throughout the state.

With only $53,898 in federal money and $31,815 of locally raised contributions, the local RSVP program is less effective than it could be. United Way of Kootenai County contributes $12,000 to the local share, but the state of Idaho could invest some of the surplus in this service and gain the added return of volunteers helping others.

Another program with great potential of helping folks stay in their homes is Homemaker. The Panhandle Health District provides this service through a contract with the local office of Aging and Adult Services. Kay Kindig, health district director, points out that their average patient “is an 85 or older, widow or widower at home having difficulties with the routine activities of daily living. With a minimum budget, we can keep them in the home quite well and comfortable.”

Homemaker provides a key extension to the home-care concept. Folks who no longer need skilled nursing or medical care often still need help with activities of daily living. The state of Idaho provides only $197,631 of state funds and the counties contribute an additional $53,000.

This sum of $250,631 for the entire Panhandle may sound adequate, but in reality it provides only 1-1/2 hours of help every two weeks. This is simply inadequate when one considers our growing elderly population and the costly alternatives. The Legislature can afford to invest in Homemaker Services.

Respite Care receives a total of $16,395 of state funds. That provides 3,117 hours of worthwhile help to stressed and tired caregivers. It costs Idaho less than the minimum wage to provide this kind of assistance. By helping caregivers at home, Respite Care provides that much-needed break with the stress and burden of constant care-giving.

Dick Tate, director of the Senior Companion Program, has seen a 37 percent increase in the number of Alzheimer’s and dementia cases of late. “Respite Care is becoming more important because of the high level of stress in caring for these folks around the clock,” he said.

Funding for these simple but valuable services could be a good investment, because they provide so much, for so little, for so many forgotten citizens.

Sen. Clyde Boatright and Rep. Wayne Meyer consistently attend the Saturday morning Senior Coalition meeting at the Coeur d’Alene Senior Center beginning at 8:30 a.m. They update the members and guests about the latest legislation of interest to North Idaho and graciously answer questions.

These three programs were described to them, and both legislators said they support legislation affecting the growing senior population of the Panhandle.

Anyone interested in the Senior Coalition can attend the meeting every Saturday morning, which is open to the public. If you have questions, call Fay or Lillian Harder at 765-6097 or leave a message at the Senior Center at 667-4628.