On the Issues
Seniors & People With Disabilities
"We must do a better job of supporting those workers that choose to provide care and support to our most vulnerable citizens." |
Minnesota has made great strides with services for seniors and people with disabilities. Fewer disabled and elderly Minnesotans are living in institutional settings than ever before. Minnesota was one of the first states to be a part of the self-determination movement allowing for more freedom and control over services. However, there is much work that needs to be done to improve the system of supports.
Group Residential Housing (GRH) has played a major role in providing housing for people with disabilities. This funding source allows disabled individuals to live in a licensed setting. However, this funding source is limited by being attached to housing rather than attached to the person who should have choice in where they choose to live. GRH needs to be reformed to allow the funding to follow the person to the living arrangement that best meets their needs.
Medicaid Waivers have been a source of funding for services for many years. However, access to this funding stream has been limited in recent years. It is imperative that we work towards reducing the waiting lists for Medicaid Waivers and work towards providing equal access to services for all.
Minnesota has made great strides with consumer directed services; more work needs to be done. Consumer directed services should not solely be a program under the Medicaid Waivers but rather a way of life for those that are recipients. People with disabilities deserve the opportunity to own their own home, direct their own services, and lead the life that they choose. Similarly, seniors that choose to remain in their homes must be allowed to access the necessary supports so that they can remain living as independently as possible.
One of the most important factors in providing supports to people with disabilities and seniors is appropriately educated and well-trained staff. However, pay for these workers has not kept up with inflation. We must do a better job of supporting those workers that choose to provide care and support to our most vulnerable citizens.