Texans in the 65-plus Set Make Capitol Noise

Deb Courson

AUSTIN, Texas - More than 3,000 Texans in the 65-plus set are set to make some noise at the Capitol today. They're rallying on the statehouse steps for "Senior Day," and will meet with legislators to try to gain support for aging-services and safety-net programs being targeted in budget cuts. 

Lue Taff, director of the elder support program with The Senior Source in Dallas, a nonprofit that provides information and coordination regarding aging services, says the bottom line is that the state should not skimp on basics, like Lite Up Texas, a fund that helps older Texans of modest means cover expensive summer electric bills.

"If people can't continue to stay in their homes, and they get sick because they can't stay cool enough, then they're in the nursing home and they're on Medicaid. And guess what? That costs a whole lot more."

Money originally designated for that program has been diverted to the general fund, instead. 

Another topic for aging Texans is assisted-living facilities, with Taff pointing to the fact that those facilities now outnumber nursing homes. She says that's caused a crisis in the long-term-care ombudsmen program, which is supposed to help protect seniors who might be at risk of exploitation or neglect.

"Assisted living facilities have fewer staff people than nursing homes. They have fewer regulations, and therefore, it's very important for ombudsmen to be able to go in there and help residents resolve problems."

Other items on Texan seniors' lists today include Medicaid reimbursement for nursing homes, full funding for home meal deliveries to shut-ins and those who are frail, and mandatory geriatric training for health care professionals. 

More than 2.5 million people in Texas are over 65.

There's a rally on the Capitol steps at 10:30 a.m. Seniors will meet with legislators throughout the day.