By World's Editorial Writers, Tulsa World, January 28, 2006
A review of Oklahoma's long-term care programs echoes what advocates have said for a long time: there are not enough options for older Oklahomans and more resources should be directed to home-based and community-based services.
Most Oklahomans would rather stay in their homes than go into a nursing facility -- another finding of the study. Enabling those who can stay at home also is a cheaper alternative.
Findings and recommendations of the year-long study by the National Academy for State Health Policy were presented at a recent forum in Tulsa.
The growing number of Oklahomans who will need long-term care in the next 15 years, coupled with the lack of alternatives, will lead to an enormous increase in Medicaid costs unless reforms are made, researchers said.
Robert Mollica, senior program director for the academy, told the audience that designing and implementing a new system takes up to 20 years. He said that providing a broader array of services can help flatten the cost increase over time.
According to state figures, about 22,700 nursing-home residents receive Medicaid, at an annual cost of about $448 million. About 16,500 residents have been able to stay in their homes through a program known as the Medicaid Advantage waiver, at a cost of about $106 million.
Considering that about 85 percent of state Medicaid funding is used to fund nursing-home care, and that at-home care is much cheaper, it makes sense to plow more resources into home-based care.
Observers also noted the existing state system makes it easier for those in need of care to enter a nursing home than to receive services in their own homes. That also should be changed.
Obviously, there will always be a need for nursing homes. But thanks to improvements in health care and personal habits, more Oklahoma seniors could stay in their homes if a few vital services were available to them.
State leaders could make that happen for many more Oklahomans. They owe them those options. Some day, they too will be facing similar prospects.
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