The uncertainty around possible cuts to federal programs for the elderly and disabled is raising concerns among some social service agencies in southern Kentucky.
Some of the proposed cuts impact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That department funds the Older Americans Act, which provides support to Area Agencies on Aging in southern Kentucky.
Michelle Hines is the director of that agency in the Barren River Area Development District. She says many low-income, elderly and disabled residents in the region could suffer if the proposed budget is approved.
“That could spell disaster in the future of the Older Americans Act programs and services. The services under there include case management, transportation, home delivered meals, elder justice and long-term care ombudsmen.”
Hines says the range of services is intended to help the elderly stay in their homes, which is less expensive, and in most cases, preferable for the local residents. She says regional support could help save the programs.
“We’re hopeful that people will call their legislators and tell them that they are concerned. You know home delivered meals is a nutrition program and it helps them to stay home. And we’re daily checking on them through the home delivered meals program.”
Hines says her agency serves about 1,700 local residents with direct in-home services, and about 10,000 low-income and elderly people through its full range of programs.
