Contact: Chris Black
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From left: Brookdale Senior Living Chief Executive Officer, Bill Sheriff; State Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin); and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen vowed to restructure the long term care system in his state to provide more choice to seniors.
In remarks to the Tennessee ALFA chapter, Gov. Bredesen praised the industry for its agility in meeting the needs of the elderly and asked providers to help the state find better ways to serve seniors in the state.
“The assisted living industry in particular has proven the ability to evolve with the changing needs and demands of our growing elderly population,’’ said the Democratic governor at a luncheon speech in Nashville March 13. “You’ve also long understood the need for choices and the uniqueness of each person and family’s situation.’’
Gov. Bredesen reiterated his support for legislation that will allow hospice services for assisted living residents calling it “long overdue.’’
“Assisted living providers commend Gov. Bredesen’s efforts to expand long term care options for all seniors in Tennessee regardless of income,’’ said Richard Grimes, president of ALFA. “The governor’s attempt to ‘rebalance’ the use of public funds for long term care at home and community settings will improve the quality of life for thousands of seniors.’’
Gov. Bredesen has requested an additional $20.7 million in state funds to expand home and community-based options for long term care for elderly Tennessee residents. More than $1 billion or 99 percent of all public long term funding in Tennessee goes to care for 30,000 nursing home residents. Tennessee ranks last in the percentage of public long term care funds allocated to home and community based services.
The governor singled out Dinah Bailes for her leadership and hailed the Tennessee ALFA chapter for improving the quality of life for seniors.
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA, www.alfa.org) represents companies operating professionally managed assisted living communities for seniors. ALFA advocates choice for seniors, quality of care, and accessibility and portability of long term care for all Americans. ALFA’s efforts “raise the bar” for operational excellence among its member companies. Among other options for long term care, assisted living is the fastest growing residential care option for seniors in the United States. More than 36,000 communities care for more than one million seniors who need help in the activities of daily life to remain independent.
