(March 16, 2017) Citing a reduction of state funding, the Worcester County Commission On Aging is asking the county and its municipalities for increased financial backing so it can continue to provide services to elderly and handicapped residents.
Executive Director Rob Hart spoke to the Pocomoke City Council last Monday about the agency’s fiscal year 2018 budget request. In addition to the Pocomoke Senior Center, Hart said there were similar facilities in Snow Hill, Berlin and Ocean City.
“The program used to get funding from the state,” he said. “We received about $50,000 12 years ago when I first started, and the state has basically dried up on the funding.”
While more than 700 members currently make use of the four senior centers, that number is likely to spike as more than one-third of the county population will be considered elderly by 2020, Hart said.
“We feed over 2,000 seniors a month and deliver 50-plus meals on wheels a day,” he said. “We also serve over 500 other adults quarterly [who have] many other needs.”
Hart said the agency is requesting the county increase funding levels to match the dollar figures from 2008, noting since that time limited resources have resulted in staffing reductions.
“The main focus on our county budget is to put an additional staff member in each of our senior centers,” he said. “We only have one staff member in each of those buildings, which I find to be a safety issue at this point, with our growing population.”
Without sufficient funding, Hart said reduced services are inevitable, which runs counter to the likely demand from shifting demographics.
“The number of people ages 70-85 will grow the fastest over the next few decades, constituting the highest percent of the population by 2030,” he said. “That growth in the elderly population will bring a corresponding surge in the number of elderly people with functional and cognitive limitations.”
Hart said it is estimated more than two-thirds of those 65 or older would need assistance of some kind.
“We would ask you to support this because if we do not get that money we’re going to have to make a change in our services,” he said. “Nobody wants to see a senior center go away.”
While the county funds the total cost of the buildings and pays for staff salaries, Hart said municipalities are being asked to support the cost of daily activities.
“We usually try to take care of the daily activities through fundraising, but over the past few years our fundraising has not been as successful as we’d like,” he said. “This year the board of directors … asked me to come to each one of the municipalities and ask for some help with funding.”
Hart requested Pocomoke include $1,500 in its 2018 fiscal year budget to help expand the classes offered at the senior center, and to enhance case management services and establish a mentoring program for new volunteers.
“You’re the first municipality we’ve been to, but we’re going to the other three,” he said. “It is the intent of the Worcester County Commission on Aging to help senior citizens in maintaining healthy vibrant lives, while concentrating on keeping them out of nursing/rehabilitation facilities for as long as possible.”
Pocomoke Mayor Bruce Morrison said Hart’s timing was ideal. He expressed a deep appreciation for his efforts in response to the needs of the aging.
“We’re getting ready to start budget work, so we can see what we can do,” he said.
Executive Director Rob Hart spoke to the Pocomoke City Council last Monday about the agency’s fiscal year 2018 budget request. In addition to the Pocomoke Senior Center, Hart said there were similar facilities in Snow Hill, Berlin and Ocean City.
“The program used to get funding from the state,” he said. “We received about $50,000 12 years ago when I first started, and the state has basically dried up on the funding.”
While more than 700 members currently make use of the four senior centers, that number is likely to spike as more than one-third of the county population will be considered elderly by 2020, Hart said.
“We feed over 2,000 seniors a month and deliver 50-plus meals on wheels a day,” he said. “We also serve over 500 other adults quarterly [who have] many other needs.”
Hart said the agency is requesting the county increase funding levels to match the dollar figures from 2008, noting since that time limited resources have resulted in staffing reductions.
“The main focus on our county budget is to put an additional staff member in each of our senior centers,” he said. “We only have one staff member in each of those buildings, which I find to be a safety issue at this point, with our growing population.”
Without sufficient funding, Hart said reduced services are inevitable, which runs counter to the likely demand from shifting demographics.
“The number of people ages 70-85 will grow the fastest over the next few decades, constituting the highest percent of the population by 2030,” he said. “That growth in the elderly population will bring a corresponding surge in the number of elderly people with functional and cognitive limitations.”
Hart said it is estimated more than two-thirds of those 65 or older would need assistance of some kind.
“We would ask you to support this because if we do not get that money we’re going to have to make a change in our services,” he said. “Nobody wants to see a senior center go away.”
While the county funds the total cost of the buildings and pays for staff salaries, Hart said municipalities are being asked to support the cost of daily activities.
“We usually try to take care of the daily activities through fundraising, but over the past few years our fundraising has not been as successful as we’d like,” he said. “This year the board of directors … asked me to come to each one of the municipalities and ask for some help with funding.”
Hart requested Pocomoke include $1,500 in its 2018 fiscal year budget to help expand the classes offered at the senior center, and to enhance case management services and establish a mentoring program for new volunteers.
“You’re the first municipality we’ve been to, but we’re going to the other three,” he said. “It is the intent of the Worcester County Commission on Aging to help senior citizens in maintaining healthy vibrant lives, while concentrating on keeping them out of nursing/rehabilitation facilities for as long as possible.”
Pocomoke Mayor Bruce Morrison said Hart’s timing was ideal. He expressed a deep appreciation for his efforts in response to the needs of the aging.
“We’re getting ready to start budget work, so we can see what we can do,” he said.