Study's reaction is mixed Care providers worry over state's budget ...

A just-released study that found the state could save millions of dollars by paying more money to home health providers and less to nursing homes is drawing predictably mixed reactions.

"A nursing facility is going to say, 'Hey, we need this money, and home health cannot take care of these people like we can.' And there are cases where that is true. But if you walk into any nursing home, you will see people who just basically need assistance with medications, but maybe for whatever reason the family is not able to do that," said Leslee Mast, superintendent at the Holmes County Home.

Mast brings a unique perspective to the study by the Ohio Council for Home Care, a home health advocacy group. She's in the business of long-term care. But because the Holmes County Home is not state certified, her facility does not receive state funding.

Family caregivers steer through the treacherous learning curve

MOST family caregivers report they are not prepared for some of the responsibilities they face in caring for an older relative, according to a survey by Opinion Research Corporation. Our recent seminars for family caregivers demonstrated that many of them are eager to learn faster.

The survey showed that one-fifth of Americans are now providing unpaid care to an adult relative or friend. Two-thirds of them have been providing care for a year or more, including a quarter of them for more than four years. There were 150 family caregivers registered for our three "Elder Care Decisions and Resources" seminars. Their hunger for information, guidance and support was an inspiration.

Our opening presentation covered difficult decisions a caregiver must make, options and resources for care at or outside the home and the importance of caregiver support and relief.

Senior housing project going downtown

Santa Maria Planning Commissioners say they're excited about a downtown project that would bring a senior assisted-living home to the heart of the city. The commission voted 4-0 Wednesday night to allow the Sun family to develop the project at 117 N. Broadway. The commission's newest member, Adrian Andrade, who was appointed Tuesday night by Councilwoman Hilda Zacarias, abstained from the vote. The applicants are proposing extensive remodeling in their building to create the assisted-living facility on the second floor while keeping the existing furniture store on the ground floor. Though commissioners said they are pleased to see an additional opportunity for seniors to live in the downtown area, Commissioner Lawnae Hunter insisted a condition of approval be added to require some sort of open space for the residents.

Developers dreaming of helping seniors

A few dozen low-income seniors, with fixed incomes vulnerable to escalating rents and mortgages, will soon have another housing option thanks to a tax-credit-assisted project that is coming to market in Wahiawa.
The affordable rental complex, California Avenue Apartments, will hardly satisfy pent-up demand in that market, as its 42 units are just a drop in the bucket compared to the estimated 17,000 or so apartments the state estimates are needed to ease the shortfall in Hawaii's affordable housing.
The developers, a Honolulu partnership named California Dreaming, will host an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the site at 220 California Avenue. Applicants must be age 62 and above, with annual incomes ranging from $24,950 to $28,500. The three-story complex will feature a garden and senior community center as well as a coin-operated laundry on every floor.