In Washington County, people can enroll in a program aimed at helping them age in their homes safely as opposed to going to a nursing homes, but the future of it looks grim. At Wednesday’s Washington County Board of Health meeting, Danielle Pettit-Majewski, administrator of Washington County Public Health, said things have gotten worse for the elderly waiver program and it looks grim. She explained that there are now fewer referrals, fewer people enrolled, and that the state is being more stringent with requirements to qualify without specifying those requirements. In addition, the Washington County case worker for the program, Susan Mitchell, has submitted her resignation.

Mitchell spoke with KCII News in March, at that time she expressed her frustration with the state. She explained then that there are benefits to providing services at home both for the tax payer and for the clients, as the cost is lower than the average cost of a nursing home. Home services cost about $1,300 per month while a nursing home’s approximate cost per month is $6,000.

Board chairman Virginia Bordwell suggested going to the state ombudsman.

For the full interview with Mitchell in March click here for part 1 and part 2.