Yesterday we went with the Peninsula Agency on Aging and the Peninsula Task Force on Aging to Richmond for Senior Day. On the table was a $700K shortfall for several of the 25 VA Agencies on Aging that was being voted on.
We met with legislators and elected officials to learn about what is in store for Senior Virginians in the future and potential future legislation. Below are the several legislators’/ officials who took out the time to listen and share information.
· State Delegates: Shelly Simonds, Marcia (Cia) Price, A. C. Cordoza, Michael Mullin and Jeion Ward; · State Senator: T. Montgomery (Monty) Mason; · Attorney General: Jason Miyares; · Secretary of Health and Human Services: John Littel
Many of them spoke with such passion and care for senior issues and helping older adults age with grace, dignity and safety. It was refreshing to hear!
Key Areas:
The three key areas discussed were: Transportation, Health Care and Housing. Below are the issues, concerns and conversations:
1. Transportation – a. Getting to doctor’s offices is an issue for seniors; b. There are not enough public transportation opportunities/routes to get to the store, doctor, and family members for seniors’; c. Issues with Medicaid not providing timely
transportation- Contact DMAS and let them know.; d. Parking at the Hampton Veterans Administration – Needs a parking Deck – This is a federal issue, not state
2. Mental Health Assistance and Services
3. Nursing Home Staffing, Personal Home Care Affordability, Aging in Place
4. Senior Housing and Affordability – a. There is housing that is being developed in Hampton that was brought up by an employee at a Hampton Community Center the question was will there be affordable senior housing for the Senior Housing, Town Houses, Apartments that are being built – This is a City of Hampton Issue; b Discussion about how housing can be looked at as a business (make money) and/or as a service (safe place to live)
5. Gun Violence Issues – Anonymous reporting to take neighborhoods back.
6. Criminal Justice System – Jury System reformed, abolishing the death penalty
7. Senior Abuse – Those who have POA and abuse that. Turning it into a crime.
8. Comprehensive Senior Safety Program and information called the Triad Program with the Attorney General’s Office. Includes internet scams and protecting seniors
9. Medication Issues – Which pills to take is an issue for seniors
10. Medical Bills – going to the wrong hospital (out of network) and getting billed…does it take a delegate or senator to handle it?…sometime yes it does!
11. Advancing States is a Think Tank where you can register and sign up for informative online learning. They have excellent information and courses such as Medicaid 101 which I completed. Highly recommend these courses they are loaded with information yet manageable to get through.
Some Pearls of Wisdom:
· The Attorney General mentioned a Latin term “Imago Dei” that means Image of God – this is what he thinks of when he talks to people – the value and potential of all people and that they have a story and he stated: “The best way to fight bad information is with good information”.
Fact, Figures and Programs:
The Secretary of Health and Human Services – John Littel and his office gave some facts and information:
· 2.2M Virginians are on Medicaid for $20B; · Nursing Homes cost $7K month so there is a need to find ways for people to live in home.; · Need to increase number of services and providers- there is a shortage of providers; · Re-procuring Medicaid managed care organizations is on the table; · There was a Work Group called Elevating Aging in the Commonwealth.
Local College:
Also in attendance was a CNU https://cnu.edu/ Professor and her students who joined
the trip – they are in a capstone class looking at civic efforts, DEI, Intergenerational opportunities for young people to learn about senior issues.
Overall:
Overall, it was a great, informative trip that helped me add more pieces to the puzzle and give me resources to help our clients, family and friends. There was even the opportunity to get a picture of the Governor coming down the stairs and talking with folks before they went in the chambers.
