CASPER, Wyo. — If the Wyoming Legislature do not ensure funding for the Wyoming Home Services Program during their 2021 General Session, about 2,000 senior citizens in the state could lose the care provided through the program, according to AARP Wyoming.
“The Wyoming Home Services program is a state funded grant program contracted to one provider per county to provide in-home services to persons 18 years and older in Wyoming who are at risk of placement in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or institutional care,” AARP Wyoming said in a press release Thursday. “Ninety-eight percent of those who receive services need help with two or more Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.”
“That can be everything from preparing meals, to transportation and shopping, as well as medication management and more.”
128 seniors were served in Natrona County through the program in 2020:
“This is a program that our state’s citizens count on to keep them in their homes and out of nursing homes,” AARP Wyoming State Director Sam Shumway said. “And the good news for lawmakers is it helps to save state dollars. That is a win-win for Wyoming.”
The program had a net cost of $2.85 million in 2020 with 1,882 citizens served, according to AARP Wyoming. The program costs either $1,517 per person per year or $211 per month.
“This compares favorably to the cost of nursing home care, which can cost the Medicaid program $4,300 per person, per month,” AARP Wyoming said.
The program receives 69% of its funding from the state and local entities provide 21% of the funding. Participants contribute to the cost of care on a sliding fee scale.
“This vital program not only saves the state money, it provides our friends and neighbors a way to age in place with dignity,” Alzheimer’s Association Wyoming Chapter’s Public Policy Manager Ramsey Scott said. “Eliminating this program means taking away a lifeline to seniors and family caregivers. Without it, we’ll see more Wyomingites transition to nursing homes, and more of our family caregivers – especially those caring for loved ones with dementia – suffer burnout and stop providing care.”
