HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2014.03.06 - 21199Miscellaneous Resolution #14048
BY: Commissioners Kathy S. Crawford, District #9 and Helaine Zack, District #18
RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR SILVER KEY COALITION
RECOMMENDATION MICHIGAN BE A "NO WAIT STATE" FOR SENIOR IN-HOME
SERVICES
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS a concerned coalition of senior advocacy groups has formed under the name
Silver Key Coalition, which includes AARP Michigan, the Alzheimer's Association, the Area
Agency on Aging Association of Michigan, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B and many other
organizations; and
WHEREAS the Silver Key Coalition has identified areas of serious concern where shifting of
state resources would benefit seniors who need basic services; and
WHEREAS the Coalition reports that in 2014 nearly 4,500 seniors are on wait lists for basic
services such as home delivered meals and help with bathing, dressing, medication, shopping
and household chores; and
WHEREAS long wait times for seniors have serious impacts such as an increased likelihood to
end up living in a nursing home, seeking health care from a hospital emergency room and
some die waiting for assistance; and
WHEREAS an increase of $5 million for the fiscal year 2015 will be needed to allow the
Michigan Office of Services to the Aging in-home services programs to begin addressing the
service needs of those on wait lists, accommodate anticipated new requests for assistance,
and begin addressing the needs of the underserved population of individuals who are receiving
assistance; and
WHEREAS the effort to make Michigan a "No Wait State" for in-home services will be a key
component of a larger strategy to make Michigan a retirement destination of choice that
attracts and retains retirees, and captures the significant social and economic benefits of an
aging population; and
WHEREAS a $5 million investment will yield many benefits to taxpayers, businesses and the
state, including creating approximately 200 new jobs, returning approximately $350,000 in
state tax revenue and support Michigan businesses as 75% of the food is purchased from
Michigan based sources; and
WHEREAS Oakland County's senior population represents 12% of county residents and the
senior population expected to double by 2030; and
WHEREAS the February 2010 report "Preparing for the Silver Tsunami" from the Oakland
County Senior Planning Coalition provides significant evidence and support for the economic
benefits of retaining retirees for the local economy, "for each 100 retirees that move to or stay
in Oakland County we can anticipate in excess of $4 million spent in the local economy and
$1.4 million spent on healthcare"; and
WHEREAS "Preparing for the Silver Tsunami" identified the following existing delays as of
February 2010:
• Family caregivers in need of out of home respite have a four month wait in scheduling
the next available opening (AAA 1-B),
• There were 710 individuals on the Oakland County Ml Choice Medicaid nursing home
alternative home care wait list on January 1, 2010, including 23 nursing home residents
(AAA 1-B); and
WHEREAS Oakland County policies have supported efforts to maintain and grow the health
care economy as well as provide programs with necessary care for the rapidly growing senior
population of the region.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
supports the Silver Key Coalition's recommendation of a FY 2015 allocation increase of $5
,
Commissioner H6' aine Zack
District #18
Commissioner
District # 2,
million in state general revenue funding for in-home services provided through the Michigan
Office of Services to the Aging for the purpose of eliminating the state's chronic in-home
service wait lists of older Michiganians and encourages members of the Michigan legislature
and Governor to support this effort.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested
to forward copies of this adopted resolution to Governor Rick Snyder, the Oakland County
delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Silver Key Coalition, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B
and the Oakland County legislative lobbyists.
Chairp,erson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
Commissikner Kathy S. Crford
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Resolution #14048 March 6, 2014
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no
objections.