More About Aging

More About WIA

During the months of October and November, State Legislators visited senior centers throughout the Barren River Area Development District to assist with serving congregate meals to the participants and spend time with some of the area’s elderly population.  These visits were part of statewide activity that the BRADD/Area Agency on Aging participated in called “Lunch with your Legislator,” All fifteen Area Agencies on Aging in Kentucky invited their local legislators to participate in a special activity such as serving the noon meal or riding the home delivered meals route.

These activities are a part of a larger campaign called “There’s No Place Like My Home.”  Kentucky’s Aging and Disability programs currently have a list of approximately 3,800 people waiting for services for Homecare, Adult Day/Alzheimer’s Respite, and Personal Care Attendant services.  Barren River AAA has approximately 500+ people waiting for services.   With the anticipated growth of the aging population, the waiting lists will continue to increase.  Aging advocates are hoping for a 20 percent increase in funding for all state aging programs for the next two years.  The goal of this campaign is to inform legislators about the ever-increasing needs of the elderly and that they will be asked to approve increases for the 2006-2008 budget.  If the home delivered meals programs are adequately funded, this allows the

elderly to stay in their own home and saves the state in Medicare and Medicaid payments to nursing homes.  Participants were given pamphlets about this campaign and were encouraged to call their local legislators and ask them to approve the increase in funds.   

Events like these visits make a difference in the lives of our most precious population, our senior citizens.  It is important that our society recognizes that the majority of older individuals and persons with disabilities want to remain as independent as possible and live in their communities and their own homes.