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Area Agency on Aging Reports Funding Cuts, Service Reductions; Asks Alamosa for Help
Summary
South Central Colorado Seniors told Alamosa council that federal funding has been flat while state allocations have fallen, forcing reduced service days and cuts to home services; the agency asked the council to consider increasing its local allocation and described a 60%-complete resource center stalled by lost grant dollars.
Representatives from South Central Colorado Seniors, the area agency on aging that serves the San Luis Valley, told the City of Alamosa council the agency is facing continuing funding shortfalls that have reduced services for older adults and left a capital project stalled.
At the April meeting, the presenter said federal funding held steady but state funding has declined by 8.3% over two years and that recent allocation notices show another 3% reduction. As a result, congregate meal program days were cut: several meal sites moved from five days a week to four, and two operate three days a week. The agency said the Alamosa Senior Center has been helping by providing lunch service on the day that was reduced.
The presenter said homemaker services funding was fully spent in March and that other home-based services are now on wait lists. Keeping homebound seniors in their homes, the presenter said, requires a combination of services—nutrition, homemaker assistance and medical equipment—and cuts across those programs risk increasing long-term care needs.
Agency staff described a stalled capital project: an $850,000 award under Senate Bill 290 was used to start construction of a resource center on the west end of town, but other anticipated grants did not materialize and the building is about 60% complete. The presenter asked whether the council could increase its allocation to the agency to help sustain services while the agency seeks additional grants.
The agency announced an aging conference on May 9 at Sky High Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the presenter provided a local contact number for a new “Sponsor a Senior” program intended to let community members fund meals (South Central Colorado Seniors: (719) 589-4511).
Councilors thanked the presenter and discussed community partnerships already stepping in to cover some needs; no formal council vote or funding commitment was taken at the meeting. City staff and council asked agency representatives to continue to provide details about specific gaps and to forward potential options for additional local support.
Clarifying details: state funding declines reported as 8.3% over two years with an additional 3% reduction in the most recent allocation notice; the SB 290 award was described as $850,000 and the related resource center was described as about 60% complete; congregate meal site days were reduced from five to four at multiple locations; homemaker services funding was described as fully spent in March.
