Everyone deserves a safe, secure retirement and the chance to age in their home if that is their choice. Many people who moved to the 34th District years ago still live in the community. My grandparents moved to Mount Vernon in 1941 and both had the good fortune to live in their home until they passed away because of the support provided by our family. However, with many families dispersed today, not everyone enjoys the same support.
In response to this need, community organizations such as Mount Vernon At Home have sprung up. These organizations minimize taxpayer burdens and provide flexible community-based support for our elderly. Virginia should help facilitate the start up of these organizations through targeted grants.
Additionally, skyrocketing property values and real estate taxes have caused some seniors on fixed income to be taxed out of their homes. While there are some tax abatement plans available, our local governments should be given more taxing authority so that revenue can be derived from other sources besides real estate.
Seniors are also subject to predatory practices from contractors and trusted ones. Law enforcement needs robust tools to address criminal behavior and victims need effective remedies to seek justice in court.
Finally, home health care workers also provide care functions to our elderly in their homes. Many are compensated by Medicaid at extremely low reimbursement rates and work as independent contractors with no benefits. Also, unlike other professions such as plumbers, HVAC technicians, or barbers, home health care workers are completely unregulated. This means there are no minimum standards in their profession. We should raise the quality of home health care by providing increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, creating minimum standards for licensing, and creating a benefits pools so that home health care workers can obtain medical, dental, and workers compensation insurance at reasonable rates. All of these measures would improve the quality of workers and the care given to our elderly in their homes.
We must –
- Support services by providing block grants that help seniors live independently with dignity.
- Continue real estate tax exemptions and discounts for seniors.
- Broaden local taxing authority so localities can derive revenue from sources other than real estate
- Support caregivers, adult day care and respite care.
- Ensure financial abuse of vulnerable seniors may be remedied by a full suite of remedies in civil court
- Expand seniors’ housing options in the community.
- Work to establish licensing, standards, and benefit pools for home health care workers who are currently completely unregulated, underpaid, and poorly monitored.