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Legislation Document
SPONSOR:
Rep. K. Johnson & Sen. Hoffner
Reps. Morrison, Burns, Ross Levin, Hilovsky, Yearick; Sens. Townsend, Hansen, Mantzavinos, Huxtable, Walsh, Wilson
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8
DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 2025 AS "SENIOR INDEPENDENCE MONTH".
WHEREAS, the
Delaware
Division
of
Services
for
Aging
and
Adults
with Physical
Disabilities (DSAAPD) predicts that the number of people in Delaware over the age of 60 will increase by 40% between 2015 and 2030; and
WHEREAS,
a
study
published
by
AARP
in
2021 found
that
76%
of
Americans
over
the
age
of 50 would like to stay in their current homes or communities; and
WHEREAS,
in
the
same
study,
over
two-thirds
of
respondents
indicated
their
preference
for in-home assistance from paid professionals or family if needed; and
WHEREAS, the
Supreme
Court’s decision in
Olmstead v. L.C.
confirmed that
older adults and people
with
disabilities
have
the
right to
receive
services
in
the
least
restrictive
setting
possible;
and
WHEREAS,
initiatives
focused
on
home and
community
care
services,
affordable
housing,
transportation
options,
and
social
engagement
opportunities
can
further
enhance
seniors’
quality of life and autonomy; and
WHEREAS,
home
care
promotes
aging
in
place,
which
allows
seniors
to
maintain
the
highest level of independence possible and stay connected to their communities; and
WHEREAS,
home
care
in
Delaware
provides greater
cost
savings
for
families,
Medicaid,
and Medicare and costs approximately half as much as living in a nursing home facility; and
WHEREAS, Delaware has experienced worker shortages since
the
pandemic
that
have
reached crisis
level,
leaving
our
State
unable
to
provide
some of
our
aging
population
the
opportunity
to stay at home; and
WHEREAS,
Delaware’s
Medicaid
rates
for
home
care
services have
increased
in
the
past
few years but have not yet caught up to meet inflationary needs; and
WHEREAS,
the
Division
of
Medicaid &
Medical
Assistance
commissioned a
study
of
Direct Support Professional (DSP) services in order to set a benchmark range for their Medicaid reimbursement
rates;
and
WHEREAS,
significant
fiscal
commitments
will
need
to
be
made by
the
State to
reduce
home health care workforce shortages and turnover rates; and
WHEREAS, investing in our State home health care infrastructure is necessary to provide Delawareans
with
the
option
to
age
at
home
with
safety,
dignity,
community,
and
independence.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Delaware House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of
the
State
of
Delaware, the
Senate
concurring
therein,
that
February
2025
is
hereby
recognized as “Senior Independence Month” in Delaware.
SYNOPSIS
This concurrent resolution designates the month of February 2025 as "Senior Independence Month".