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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2007

Barbara E. Riley Testifies in Support of Governor's Budget
Director of Department of Aging Emphasizes Choice, Unified LTC Budget

COLUMBUS - Barbara E. Riley on Tuesday addressed the Ohio House Finance Human Services Subcommittee in support of Governor Ted Strickland's Executive Budget for the Ohio Department of Aging. Riley touted measures to promote consumer choice, independence and self-care while making quality home- and community-based care more accessible as a cost-effective alternative to facility-based care.

"Each month, 12,000 Ohioans celebrate their 60th birthdays. These are the oldest, the first wave, of the Baby Boom generation," Riley told the subcommittee. "Their sheer numbers alone will tax our service systems, but this generation also is well known for having strong opinions and preferences and their changing expectations and influence will alter how we must plan for the future."

Built upon Strickland's Turnaround Ohio initiatives, the proposed budget for the Department of Aging has several goals, including:

• Provide cost-effective, high-quality home and community-based care to help seniors remain safely independent.
• Expand the capacity of PASSPORT and Ohio's other community-based services to give Ohioans true choice in long-term care.
• Promote consumer choice with an array of home-and community-based services and by providing information about these options to Ohioans in need of long-term care.
• Develop the framework and protocols to support a unified budget for long-term care.
• Promote and disseminate evidence-based disease prevention programs for seniors.
• Respond to workforce challenges and opportunities presented by an aging society.

"Our programs are designed to assist older Ohioans at every stage of aging to help mature adults live active, healthy and independent lives," Riley added. "The key to maintaining good health is to remain active, both physically and mentally - to be their best in body, mind and spirit. ODA and the aging network provide many opportunities to work, learn, volunteer, contribute to our communities and generally enjoy life."

Read the full testimony...

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging serves and represents two million Ohioans age 60 and older. The Department advocates for the needs of all older citizens, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for older Ohioans, helping them live active, healthy and independent lives, and promoting positive attitudes toward aging and older people. The Department provides services to older Ohioans through 12 area agencies on aging, home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman and the Golden Buckeye Card. For more information, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.