Representative Don Humason



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2007 HOUSE ADOPTS ENHANCED ELDER SERVICES FUNDING Don Humason, Jr., Westfield’s State Representative, announced tonight that the House of Representatives adopted by unanimous vote a consolidated Elder Affairs amendment to the state budget. The House included $1.5 million for the Enhanced Care Options Program which provides services to individuals who are clinically eligible for a nursing home. The legislature provided a $250,000 increase for Home Care Purchased Services and a $250,000 enhancement for Councils on Aging to help increase the amount of the formula grants received by Council’s on Aging. “Anything we can do to help seniors remain in their own homes where they feel safe and more comfortable is well worth doing,” Humason said. “Especially when home care tends to be much less expensive than institutional care, and is far more preferable for our seniors.” The House also provided an additional $250,000 for Protective Services, which pays for elder abuse and self-neglect investigation, casework and crisis intervention. “As long as there are unscrupulous people who try to prey on vulnerable seniors, we in state government need to do everything possible to prevent elder abuse and protect our elderly loved ones,” Humason said. Also included in the House Ways and Means budget are increases for: Local nutrition programs ($250,000), provides part of the nutrition funding for programs like meals on wheels for the elderly. Geriatric mental health services ($75,000), provides geriatric mental health and support services for elders in Massachusetts whose impairments threaten their ability to live in the least restrictive setting. Congregate Housing ($941,000), congregate housing is a shared living environment designed to integrate the housing and services needs of elder and younger disabled individuals. “Unfortunately, the Commonwealth is experiencing austere fiscal times. Although these increases to the elder affairs line items are not as generous as we would like, at least they are a step in the right direction,” Humason said. “I am hopeful the Senate will be able to build upon what we in the House have done to ensure the health and welfare of seniors in Westfield and in the Commonwealth.” The House will wrap up their budget deliberations on Friday. Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2007

HOUSE ADOPTS ENHANCED ELDER SERVICES FUNDING

Don Humason, Jr., Westfield’s State Representative, announced tonight that the House of Representatives adopted by unanimous vote a consolidated Elder Affairs amendment to the state budget.

The House included $1.5 million for the Enhanced Care Options Program which provides services to individuals who are clinically eligible for a nursing home. The legislature provided a $250,000 increase for Home Care Purchased Services and a $250,000 enhancement for Councils on Aging to help increase the amount of the formula grants received by Council’s on Aging.

“Anything we can do to help seniors remain in their own homes where they feel safe and more comfortable is well worth doing,” Humason said. “Especially when home care tends to be much less expensive than institutional care, and is far more preferable for our seniors.”

The House also provided an additional $250,000 for Protective Services, which pays for elder abuse and self-neglect investigation, casework and crisis intervention.

“As long as there are unscrupulous people who try to prey on vulnerable seniors, we in state government need to do everything possible to prevent elder abuse and protect our elderly loved ones,” Humason said.

Also included in the House Ways and Means budget are increases for:

Local nutrition programs ($250,000), provides part of the nutrition funding for programs like meals on wheels for the elderly.
Geriatric mental health services ($75,000), provides geriatric mental health and support services for elders in Massachusetts whose impairments threaten their ability to live in the least restrictive setting.
Congregate Housing ($941,000), congregate housing is a shared living environment designed to integrate the housing and services needs of elder and younger disabled individuals.

“Unfortunately, the Commonwealth is experiencing austere fiscal times. Although these increases to the elder affairs line items are not as generous as we would like, at least they are a step in the right direction,” Humason said. “I am hopeful the Senate will be able to build upon what we in the House have done to ensure the health and welfare of seniors in Westfield and in the Commonwealth.”

The House will wrap up their budget deliberations on Friday.

Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us