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Advisory council urges continued funding for senior services as county proclaims Older Americans Month
Summary
A member of the Columbia County Advisory Council outlined senior services and urged continued funding—highlighting a request for $6 million for a home‑health program and staffing pressures after a reported 5% cut to case‑management unit rates.
A long‑time member of the Columbia County Advisory Council told the Columbia County board on May 4 that aging services in the county need ongoing support as officials approach the summer funding cycle. The speaker said the advisory council added three new members this year and noted the director of Southeastern Washington Aging and Long‑Term Care will retire on June 30.
The council member described several programs funded through the Older Americans Act, which the speaker said will remain funded through September 2026, and summarized local services including congregate dining, Meals on Wheels, nutrition counseling and a new home‑health program. The speaker told the board the home‑health program has, in their account, reduced nursing‑home admissions by 24.2% and shortened probable hospital stays by about 14%. They said the advisory council will advocate for the second half of funding for the home‑health program for 2026 in the amount of $6,000,000.
The speaker also raised staffing concerns: they reported a 5% cut to the unit rate for case management, said current case‑manager caseloads stand at roughly one case manager per 76 clients and that the ratio could rise to about one per 80 if the cuts remain, which the speaker called overwhelming for staff.
The commission chair read a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Older Americans Month in Columbia County and urged residents to recognize older adults’ contributions and supports such as the Older Americans Act. The proclamation frames May’s theme as encouraging older adults to “champion your health.”
The advisory council member also summarized newly launched services: a health‑related social‑needs program offering nutrition counseling and pantry boxes (reported as serving 127 unique individuals as of April 15), home‑modification and adaptation services (ramps, power‑backup for home dialysis, refrigeration for medications) and remediation services for allergen protection and pest/mold remediation. The speaker urged the board to consider the local implications of state and federal funding timelines and emphasized ongoing advocacy at state and federal levels.
The board did not take formal action on the funding request during the meeting; the proclamation was read for the record and the speaker thanked the commission for the opportunity to report.
