AARP Position Against Preserving the Care of Seniors

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1 New Hampshire Governor's Race New Hampshire HAVING TROUBLE CUTTING THROUGH THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN CLUTTER? AARP is committed to helping you get the facts you need to choose candidates who reflect your values. We are non-partisan -- we don t support or oppose any political candidates or contribute any money to campaigns or political action committees. Our priority is ensuring you know where the candidates stand before you cast your vote this November. Be sure to vote on November 2. HOW TO USE THE AARP VOTERS GUIDE: AARP asked key questions about issues important to our members, older Americans and their families of each major candidate for this race. Each candidate was allowed up to 125 words to answer each question. AARP did not edit or modify those answers. The candidates were asked to check the support or oppose boxes. The candidates may not have chosen to check a box. AARP has provided a summary of our position for each of the issues.

2 Home and Community Based Services Will you ensure New Hampshire residents have choices to remain in their homes and communities as they age? making the long-term care system in New Hampshire more responsive to the needs and preferences of New Hampshire residents? increasing funding for home and community based services? increasing funding for home and community based services? increasing funding for home and community based services? providing the same right to home and community based services as is currently available for nursing homes? providing the same right to home and community based services as is currently available for nursing homes? providing the same right to home and community based services as is currently available for nursing homes? 2

3 Home and Community Based Services Will you ensure New Hampshire residents have choices to remain in their homes and communities as they age? making the long-term care system in New Hampshire more responsive to the needs and preferences of New Hampshire residents? Currently, long-term care services and funding in New Hampshire are heavily focused on nursing homes. By expanding access to home- and community-based services, New Hampshire would enable more people to be served in their setting of choice and potentially save money by serving fewer people in institutional settings. The new federal health care law includes new options and financial incentives for states that will make it easier for consumers to receive services and supports in the settings of their choice. AARP supports reforms to the long-term care system that allow individuals to remain in their home or home-like settings. AARP urges state policymakers to carefully consider adopting those new options and enhanced services and programs that are available to states. Yes, I believe we must continue to give seniors more choices to stay in their homes and communities. We must also continue to build the infrastructure of home health aides, homemaker, nurses and transportation options to support seniors living in their own communities. As Commissioner of Health and Human Services, one of my top priorities was ensuring that New Hampshire seniors would have the opportunity to stay in their own homes and communities as long as possible. Because of my efforts, thousands of seniors across the state were able to remain at home and have critical resources brought to them, instead of being shifted in to nursing homes. That said, much more needs to be done to rebalance our long-term care system to allow more seniors to age in place. I know that we can build upon our past efforts to create a robust home and community-based infrastructure for our seniors. 3

4 Supporting Volunteer Services Will you maintain or increase state funding for community based volunteer services such as the Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions) that provide necessary services in local schools, non-profits and people s home? How will you use the Office of the Governor to grow and promote volunteerism in community services? the use of volunteer programs to help communities provide vital services to those in need? the use of volunteer programs to help communities provide vital services to those in need? the use of volunteer programs to help communities provide vital services to those in need? maintaining or increasing funding for community volunteer programs? maintaining or increasing funding for community volunteer programs? maintaining or increasing funding for community volunteer programs? 4

5 Supporting Volunteer Services Will you maintain or increase state funding for community based volunteer services such as the Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions) that provide necessary services in local schools, non-profits and people s home? How will you use the Office of the Governor to grow and promote volunteerism in community services? For example, the Senior Volunteer Programs alone are able to take $150,000 of state general funds to match approximately $1.8 million in federal funds. These funds produce over 750,000 hours of volunteers services throughout the state at a value of over $5 million. Currently, there are thousands of volunteers that work in schools, child day care centers, nursing homes, and non-profit agencies. In view of the current budgetary constraints these services are critical for communities to provide necessary services to those of all ages who need services. AARP supports community services like these that are cost effective and build strong communities that are able to support the needs of people of all ages. Senior volunteer programs play a critical role in our state. In the last budget, we had to make some difficult choices to preserve funding for other critical needs, particularly health care. But I support funding for community-based volunteer services. As Governor, I have worked to promote volunteerism by instituting a volunteer of the month award, and by frequently highlighting New Hampshire volunteer organizations and their contributions to our state. Community-based volunteer services are absolutely critical to ensure the infrastructure necessary to keep seniors in the community. Ultimately, enhancing these services will not only help seniors, but save the taxpayers, as nursing home costs are significantly higher than the costs to bring seniors care in the community. These services allow seniors to stay in their homes and get the care they need, at a fraction of the cost of nursing homes. As Commissioner of Health of Human Services, I worked to build up these services, and as Governor, we will continue to improve in this area. 5

6 Accessible Transportation Will you commit to finding options that provide flexibility in obtaining funding for public transportation, specialized transportation services, and volunteer driver programs, providing greater mobility options for people who are either unable to drive themselves or choose not to drive? changing state law so that public transportation, specialized transportation services, and volunteer driver programs are more feasible options? changing state law so that public transportation, specialized transportation services, and volunteer driver programs are more feasible options? changing state law so that public transportation, specialized transportation services, and volunteer driver programs are more feasible options? Should the State support state, regional, and local efforts to coordinate and fund transportation services that are alternatives to traditional vehicles? Should the State support state, regional, and local efforts to coordinate and fund transportation services that are alternatives to traditional vehicles? Should the State support state, regional, and local efforts to coordinate and fund transportation services that are alternatives to traditional vehicles? 6

7 Accessible Transportation Will you commit to finding options that provide flexibility in obtaining funding for public transportation, specialized transportation services, and volunteer driver programs, providing greater mobility options for people who are either unable to drive themselves or choose not to drive? Livable communities are places where people of all ages and abilities have travel choices to safely get where they need and want to go. Options like public transportation, specialized transportation services, or volunteer driver programs are needed for those who are no longer able to drive, or who simply choose not to. In an aging state, these mobility options are especially critical for non-drivers, allowing them to retain their independence, helping them stay healthy, and keep them connected to family and friends. AARP supports improving public transportation and specialized transportation services to improve the quality of life for all who rely on or choose to use them. AARP also supports volunteer driver programs that provide free or low cost rides to individuals who can t drive themselves. We are working to support and enhance public transportation and other alternative transportation services. We formed a State Coordinating Council for Community Transportation to coordinate the various community transportation services offered in the state. The aim of the SCC has been to reduce duplication, increase the availability of service, and make scarce resources go further as the need for transportation increases with an aging and growing population. Working with local regions, the SCC is developing state-level coordination and information technology systems to support improved transportation options. Keeping seniors independent in their communities must be a top priority, and ensuring that transportation is in place is a critical component to ensuring that many are able to lead full, enjoyable lives. In the end, it enhances the independence of our seniors, while saving money for taxpayers. Transportation must be a critical component of making certain that the infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of today s seniors, and I will work to make sure that our senior transportation system is robust and efficient. 7

8 Tired of the campaign clutter? The AARP Voters Guide will help you find out where the candidates stand on the issues important to you and your family. For more information, please go to Voter Information Inside