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Commission on Aging urges emergency respite funding, village grants and nursing‑home oversight
Summary
Montgomery County’s Commission on Aging asked the Health and Human Services Committee for an emergency FY26 appropriation to cover in‑home respite shortfalls, funding in FY27 to expand respite and to seed four new village programs in underserved areas, and resources to sustain nursing home inspection work and the senior nutrition program.
The Montgomery County Commission on Aging on Wednesday asked the County Council’s Health and Human Services Committee for immediate and sustained funding for services intended to keep older residents in their communities.
At the committee hearing, Linda Burgofsky, cochair of the Commission on Aging, said the commission seeks an emergency appropriation in FY26 to fill an anticipated shortfall in in‑home respite funding provided through a contract with the Arc of Montgomery. The commission also asked that the FY27 budget include sufficient resources to expand respite care and to fund four competitively awarded grants to establish new village programs in areas with limited access to existing services.
"The demand for respite has increased every year and exceeded operating budget constraints, resulting in contract interruptions and accompanying wait lists," Burgofsky said. She urged lawmakers to prioritize funding so caregivers have short‑term relief and older adults can continue living at home.
The commission described villages as a "neighbors helping neighbors" model that coordinates volunteers and intergenerational activities; the commission said many Up County and East County communities lack nearby village catchments. Burgofsky said the commission has identified partners ready to work with the Office of Grants Management if funding is provided.
The commission also highlighted two additional priorities: restoring local capacity to inspect nursing homes following a 2025 state legislative change that allows the county to re‑assume inspection duties, and fully funding the senior nutrition program (SNP), which the commission said operates with demand that "far outweighs budget." Burgofsky asked the committee to "carve out the funding needed depending on whatever solution the county decides is appropriate."
Council members asked about geographic gaps; Burgofsky said Up County — including the Ag Reserve and Poolesville — has the fewest residents within village catchments, while East County access is uneven. Members discussed transportation barriers and suggested using point‑to‑point models in the short term to support villages in rural areas.
The commission also requested dedicated funding for an annual public forum to make elderly‑focused information more accessible beyond in‑person attendees.
The hearing did not include a vote; the commission asked that the executive and council consider its budget requests as part of the FY27 process.
