Anthony
Williams for Mayor

Anthony Williams is Committed to Seniors

Older Washingtonians deserve special attention They have unique needs and, more importantly, they have unique gifts to share with our city. Of the 530,000 people living in the District of Columbia in 1996, 95,000 were at least 60 years old. As Mayor, I will work to make Washington a city where citizens of all ages are proud of the example we set of a city which truly values its elders.

The specific needs of seniors which should be addressed by DC government action are many and varied. Our greatest responsibility is to those who cannot manage on their own because they are in poor health, cannot afford needed housing or other services or hew no family support. Thousands of people in our city who have been responsible citizens and hard workers all their lives find that their resources cannot stretch to cover home care, special transportation or prescription drugs when these are needed. Every day people move reluctantly to nursing homes because they have no alternative. Once there, they must depend on strangers for the quality of care they receive. Most challenging of all to address are the needs of older men and women who have become isolated, who live alone and see no one until they arrive in an emergency room. Often these people have turned away from others because they see themselves as worthless, often a reflection of our society's view.

In my view, seniors not only deserve our respect and support, but our society is missing the boat by not doing everything possible to engage seniors in a more meaningful way in the community as paid and volunteer workers. Meeting people during this campaign has made me very aware of how much Washington's neighborhoods, churches, families and service organizations depend on the leadership and volunteer help of older people. It's in everyone's interest to help them stay healthy and active! As Mayor, I will count on their leadership to help me continually expand senior involvement in every sphere of civic life, from schools to parks to nursing homes.

DC government does not and cannot do it ale but we can play a critical role in making programs and services for the elderly effective and efflcient. As Mayor, I will ensure that federal reimbursements and grants are maximized that government standard-setting and monitoring of programs and services is thorough, that public-private partnerships grow and that the total efforts are consistent and well- coordinated. Recognizing that a minimum of 3000 needy seniors have suffered from reduced home care and other services because of recent budget cuts, I pledge to give these services the highest priority for funding as our revenues continue to exceed expenses.

Talks with citizens have increased both my understanding of seniors' intense concerns for better operation of DC government for all citizens, especially children, and my knowledge of those issues which specifically relate to older people. I propose to concentrate my initial efforts on the following "senior issues": the DC Office on Aging, long-term care in institutions and homes, housing and safety, and transportation.

The DC Office on Aging

The DC Office on Aging is designated under DC Law as the principal agency in the District government charged with providing and coordinating community services for our nearly 100,000 seniors. That statute also created the Commission on Aging to represent seniors' interests to the Office on Aging, the Mayor and the City Council.

I have learned to appreciate that the Office on Aging is an invaluable and effective agency. I pledge that the Director will be at my side to counsel me and ensure that all District programs and services that affect seniors will be coordinated for maximum value. I will count on the Commissioners to be my eyes and ears in their communities, keeping me informed through their reports and forums; as independent citizen representatives they have the potential to keep government fixed on improving services. I will count on the six lead agencies among the Senior Service Network to assist us in understanding the needs of older people in the community through their public testimony and community forums.

The Office on Aging is funded by both the Federal government, $5 million in 1998, and the District government, $14 million. These funds leverage more than $5.3 million in private support, including contributions, volunteer time sad donated space. Last year close to 40,000 people benefited from those programs, roughly two-fifths of our senior population!

Some examples of the DCOA's Senior Service Network programs that I strongly support are:

• The promotion of good mental and physical health, such as exercise, health education and opportunities to socialize and volunteer, these programs help people stay independent and reduce the need for costly medical services.
• Services in the home by paid and volunteer helpers, to allow people to stay where they are happiest and prevent costly institutionalization.
• Providing employment opportunities for seniors who wish full or part-time work or job training.
• Providing legal consulting to prevent fraud sad abuse at home and in nursing homes and to assist in administrative proceedings with the Social Security Administration, Medicare, Medicaid, and other agencies.

During my first 100 days in office I will convene a meeting of the Director of the DC Office on Aging, the members of the DC Commission on Aging and representatives of the 30 nonprofit groups that make up the Senior Service Network and ask them to draft a report for me within six months stating:

• How the DC Commission on Aging and the DC Office on Aging can strengthen their advocacy role within the government;
• What steps they recommend for improving coordination of long term care service to frail seniors;
• What other steps the city can take to improve general services to senior citizens including transportation, housing and recreation;
• Recommendations to strengthen public private partnerships involving the faith community and the business community.

Long-term care in institutions and homes

Long-term care services for the elderly include institutional and home cue for people who suffer from chronic illnesses, terminal illnesses, physical and mental disabilities and frailness due to age. DC government responsibilities for long term care are housed in multiple agencies devoted to health services, social services, aging services, Medicaid and regulatory enforcement. Historically, cooperation among these agencies has been woefully lacking. Historically, DC has lagged behind other jurisdictions in developing flexible, cost-effective approaches to providing long term care. Beginning now, DC must commit itself instead to being a leader.

Fortunately, DC has many resources for expertise among its citizens. Recently two organizations have set an example of successful collaborative planning efforts with DC government officials. The DC Coalition on Long Term Care has worked with DC officials to create new Medicaid funding for home care and to produce legislation for assisted living. The Mayor's Health Policy Council Committee on Long Term Care has started the ambitious process of comprehensive planning with an in-depth analysis of the need for nursing home beds. Under my administration, DC officials will continue this type of collaborative planning.

These are some of the long-term care issues which will have my full support:

• The District ranks 48th in the country in the portion of Medicaid funding going to home and community-based care for the frail and disabled. I support the recently approved pilot program to fund such services for 75 persons 65 and older in the first year and 75 additional older persons in each of the two following years;
• Low income seniors who have had their assistance payments for homemaker service and other support cut because of budgetary considerations over the past few years will become a priority of the William's Administration to have these cuts restored as the City continues to see budget surpluses;
• Implement regular meeting between the director of the Office on Aging and all the other agencies responsible for services to seniors to see that these services are coordinated in a cost effect way;
• Set up a one stop service center for seniors to access needed services through the Office on Aging.

Housing and Safety

Older DC residents live in private homes, rental and owner occupied apartments, public housing for the elderly and disabled, retirement homes, shelters and group homes sponsored by private organizations and individuals but regulated by DC, and public and private nursing homes. My goal is to make DC an affordable, safe and attractive place for all seniors.

• I support the continuation of the Homestead exemption for seniors and I will continue to push the improvements in the assessment process which I implemented in 1997. Fair property taxes can make the difference in an older home owner's ability to continue to stay at home;
• Assisted living facilities provide a level of housing and support services between community residential facilities and nursing homes.
• Public housing for the elderly and disabled has been poorly managed for many years. I pledge to work with the court-appointed receiver to pay special attention to the issues in these buildings, including the concerns I have often heard about the mixing of frail seniors with younger disabled people in the same building.
• Neighborhood policing is critical to the safety of seniors in their homes and I have pledged to work with Chief Ramsey to increase the numbers of police available for community policing from the current numbers to at least 60% of the department.
• 911 emergency calls must receive an appropriate and timely response. If there is a true emergency, paramedics and police must be able to respond immediately. I have committed to review the entire 911 system and make sure it is responsive.

Transportation

Seniors who are isolated are at high risk of deteriorating health. The District government provides and influences the targeted transportation services which are available to the elderly. Many of these services, because of lack of coordination are expensive to operate. I will work to ensure the most cost effective use of these services, and will work to expand them within budget restrictions.

• The DC Office on Aging oversees valuable transportation programs, including the WEHTS bus service, and Call 'N Ride taxi vouchers currently under the management of the United Planning Organization. I will support continued efforts to upgrade the existing fleet through appropriate and affordable capital expenditures and management improvements which will provide better and more timely service, lower the cost per ride, and establish realistic priorities for use.
• METRO services are the lifeline for many older people to their jobs, families, shopping and leisure activities. As Mayor, I will make sure that the District's payments to METRO are accompanied by recommendations to maintain METRO discounts, maintain specialized services for the disabled and give high priority to maintaining neighborhood routes. I will assist METRO as needed and work to insure they have strong senior representation on their Citizen Advisory Board.

My commitment to our City includes our senior citizens. I recognize that our seniors are a resource that the District of Columbia cannot afford to neglect. I know that seniors care about the same things that all our citizens care about. They want safe streets, adequate health care, decent housing, good schools for our children and a government they can be proud of.

Conclusion

These are the same things that I care about. I ask our seniors, who make up 18% of our population to work with me, to share their knowledge and expertise with our children and our government. Together we will rebuild our City, community by community, and leave a legacy of which we can be proud for our children and our grandchildren.