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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 8 findings
F1
Page 102
Cuts in reimbursements to residential care facilities by the state and federal governments have resulted in unnecessary placement of elderly people in nursing homes.
F2
Page 102
There are thirty-one residential care facilities in the county with a total bed capacity of 1141; only fifty-two of these beds accept people receiving SSI if they are not already assigned. The average cost per person, per month is $1000-$3000 and SSI pays $800- $850 per month.
F3
Page 102
Due to the lack of residential care facilities in Santa Cruz County, some poor residents who are discharged from the hospital and are unable to remain at home in order to avoid nursing home placement, must go to Santa Clara County for residential care needs. Adult Protective Services and hospital discharge planners have assisted some Santa Cruz County residents to take this route.
F4
Page 102
Inadequate cost of living adjustments in Santa Cruz County to keep in line with the increased costs of housing, services and supplies, prevents agencies such as the Multipurpose Senior Services Program from moving people out of nursing homes and back into the community.
F5
Page 102
Many elderly and disabled people who are in nursing homes could manage better in an alternative setting.
F6
Page 102
Thirty percent of home health care agencies nationwide have gone out of business due to cuts in reimbursement payments by the state and federal governments. 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report Long Term Care for Seniors -9
F7
Page 103
The County Board of Supervisors governs a Public Authority for In-Home Support Services. The Public Authority has a computer system in place to provide registry for caregivers and to establish standards for care.
F8
Page 103
The wages for caregivers for elderly people is inadequate, since caregivers are usually paid minimum wage. The Public Authority has been successful in increasing the caregivers’ minimum wage to $8.50 per hour, which is a step toward solving the problems of staff shortages and poor quality of care. Conclusions
Recommendations 5
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R1Page 95The Board of Supervisors should support efforts by county service agencies to lobby state officials to support less costly alternatives to nursing homes that enable older adults to remain at home or in their communities.
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R2Page 95The county should apply for federal low-cost housing assistance for construction of residential care facilities under the Department Housing and Urban Development in order to expand the number of residential care beds available to recipients of SSI.
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R3Page 95The Board of Supervisors should make every effort to convince federal and state officials that higher rates of reimbursement be authorized for residential care for low- income elders.
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R4Page 95In order to recruit and retain caregivers of LTC services and meet their basic needs, the County Board of Supervisors should support efforts to obtain reasonable wage/benefit packages for this important workforce.
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R5Page 95The Board of Supervisors should continue to support funding and efforts to purchase property for the Elderday Pajaro Valley facility. 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report -10 Long Term Care for Seniors Response Required Entity