Casinos not the Only Game on Beacon Hill --

STATE HOUSE---Casinos aren't the only game onhome," said Old Colony Elderly Services Executive
Beacon Hill. Sixty-nine members of the General CourtDirector Diana DiGiorgi. "Yet most of our tax dollars
signed a "Dear Colleague" letter to get the leadershipgo to nursing homes. It's time to put our money
to place a bigger bet on elderly home care as a waywhere our seniors are and want to be --- at home."
to save the state money. The request comes at aNorman said that Massachusetts ranks second only
time when 66% of all MassHealth long term careto Connecticut in the percentage of seniors age 65
dollars go to nursing homes, and the Commonwealthand over who are in nursing homes. "We've become
ranks 2nd in the nation for percentage of seniors inoverly-reliant on institutions," he said. "We're playing
institutions.with a deck stacked towards institutions. It's time to
"We're playing a losing numbers game," said Massup the ante by putting more money into community
Home Care Association Executive Director Al Norman.care first."
"We can care for two people at home for every oneLawmakers covering OCES' service area who signed
we place in an institution. That's a winning hand."onto the "Dear Colleague" letter for home care
In a "Dear Colleague" letter dated March 13th,include: Stephen Canessa, Brian Joyce, Christine
circulated by Representative Barbara L'ItalienCanavan, Frank Hynes, William Galvin, Viriato
(D-Andover) and Representative Richard RossdeMacedo, Thomas Calter, Robert Creedon and John
(R-Wrentham), the lawmakers urged the House andQuinn.
Senate Ways & Means Committees to increaseOCES serves the towns of Abington, Avon,
funding for six items affecting the elderly.Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East
Among the items sought:Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson,
• $46 million for Governor Patrick'sKingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke,
"Community First" program to keep elders andPlymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham,
individuals with disabilities living in the community.West Bridgewater and Whitman.
• $58 million for an "enhanced home care"About Old Colony Elderly Services
program that keeps nearly 4,700 elders out ofIncorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elderly Services
nursing homes.(OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging
• $9.1 million for local Councils on Aging.Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the
• $2 million to raise the wages ofCommonwealth of Massachusetts.
homemakersThe organization's mission is to provide services
• $21.5 million to combat elder abusewhich will support the dignity and independence of
• $925,000 for a geriatric mental healthelders by helping them maximize their quality of life;
counseling program for seniorslive safely and in good health; and, prevent
"It's a safe bet that seniors want to be cared for atunnecessary or premature institutionalization.