Ky ranks last on services for elderly, disabled

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky ranks last in the country on services that are available for older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers, according to a report released Thursday by the AARP.

The study reviewed 26 performance factors in every state and Washington, D.C., concluding that Kentucky fares the worst overall in the availability and effectiveness of long-term support for aging and disabled populations.

Kentucky ranked 51st in affordability and access, 50th in choice of setting and providers, 50th in quality of life and quality of care, 46th in support for family caregivers and 42th in effective nursing home transitions. The report found shortcomings in both the public and private sectors.

“We certainly can do better,” said Jim Kimbrough, president of AARP Kentucky.

Kimbrough said polls show that the majority of senior residents prefer to live independently and are willing to trade the immediate availability of nursing services for the comfort of remaining at home — instead of in an institution. But Kentucky has not responded to those preferences, he said.

Marsha Hockensmith, executive director of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy, a state agency that advocates for Kentuckians with disabilities, said many people who end up in a long-term care facility can often be cared for adequately at home if only they had access to the services they need.

Kentucky’s score has declined since the last study in 2011, which ranked the state 46th overall.

Kimbrough said one reason for the poor rankings is that Kentucky has channeled too much money toward “brick and mortar” institutions at the expense of home- and community-based services.

About 81 percent of funds for senior and physical disability services is spent on institutional care, while 19 percent goes to community-based care, according to the AARP.

Meanwhile, the organization reports that Kentucky’s population is aging faster than the national average, and more than 730,000 residents provide assistance with daily tasks to help parents, spouses and others stay at home, saving the state money.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is currently overhauling its Home and Community Based Waiver program, which provides support to help the elderly or those with disabilities remain in their homes.

Hockensmith said there isn’t a waiting list to join the program, but people can’t always obtain all the services they need. She said expanding the waiver could help make at-home care a better alternative for many people.

Thursday’s report was completed with support from The Commonwealth Fund, a private health advocacy foundation, and The SCAN Foundation, which supports more coordination of services for older adults.

Reporter Mike Wynn can be reached at (502) 875-5136. Follow him at @MikeWynn_CJ.