The Alzheimer's Association is partnering with the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly (CO-AGE) In requesting the Georgia Assembly establish a Study Committee HR 533 to find creative solutions for affordable elder housing. The Georgia population 65 and older was 1.3 million in 2016. This is expected to grow to 2.9 million by 2040. The largest growth will be in the 85 and older population. Aging remains the highest risk for developing Alzheimer's and other dementias. It is important that our elderly have the best appropriate living settings based on their care needs rather than their financial status.
Many of these seniors do not qualify for Medicaid nor do they need housing in a nursing home setting yet they cannot afford Assisted Living Facilities. Those seniors may only need assistance with daily living such as meal preparation, dressing and bathing. While some Medicaid funding is available for these services it is limited and doesn't provide funding for housing. This leaves many of our lower income seniors without viable options to live independently and they are then placed in nursing facilities, the most expensive setting to the State Medicaid Program.
Join me in asking in asking your members of Georgia Assembly to support the creation of this Study Committee. I am asking Rep Michael Smith to support (HR 533) this Committee creation.
