The Guilford County Board of Commissioners will do a lot of things at the board’s Thursday, Sept. 7 meeting.
However, one thing in particular the board will do is meant to help the elderly population in the county. The board will move forward with investing more than $3.6 million in local, state and federal funds to provide programs and services to help older county residents who otherwise might not have access to those services.
The commissioners are expected to approve the acceptance of money from a large Home and Community Care Block Grant from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, which is meant to provide aging adults with in-home aide, needed transportation and home delivered meals. It will fund other services area seniors will benefit from as well, such as adult day care, group enrichment experiences, nutrition programs, housing assistance and activities at senior centers.
Like many counties across the country, the average age of residents in Guilford County has been climbing, and each year there’s a greater need for county and community services that fill in gaps where family support falls short. The funded services allow elderly residents who would otherwise lack support to do things like get to medical appointments, participate in social experiences and engaging in other enriching activities.
According to statistics provided by Guilford County, an estimated 8,270 seniors will benefit from these services in the current fiscal year.
Under this new agreement, service providers for the Adult Center for Enrichment, Inc. (doing business as Well-Spring Solutions), Piedmont Triad Regional Council Community Development Division, Guilford County Division of Social Services, Guilford County Transportation and Senior Resources of Guilford will work together to provide the services to aging adults across the county.
The grant funding for fiscal year 2023-2024 is $3.2 million from the NC Department of Health and Human Services and $128,000 from the US Department of Agriculture in funding meant to help feed the elderly. The required match from Guilford County government is just over $355,000, which is being fulfilled by in-kind services and available county money.
“Investing”…???
No, that’s spending. Just spending.
Thank you Scott for fixing the headline.
If you want to help us elderly then cut the amount of taxes you levy on us. Fixed income and pay the taxes, on out home, cars, property etc. This is the problem. We are not as rich as the ones voting for these taxes who can afford it.
For us, pretty soon we will need meals, as the City is slowly taking our home from us.
Transportation, too. We have two cars. One is 11 years old, the other 17 years old. Hope at least one holds up for a while.
Charles cooper be happy for what you have some people have no car and here you got two cars and complaining I have never had a car but I think god for everything I do have like life help strength city of Greensboro should also help the disable people
A rebate of the monies stolen from you at gunpoint! The tyranny of the few.
Dead right.
I’ll say this much: There will never be an accounting as to where that money goes. No one will be accountable and pockets will be lined. And if there ever is an audit, it’ll be ignored. That’s what happens in Guilford County and no one has the ability to do something about it.
The money should be spent to provide reliable respite services for family caregivers so they can have weekends, nights, or a few days off each month when caring for elderly family members at home. Most family caregivers can’t afford to pay for respite services which require a minimum number of days and hours. Family caregivers often just need a break in order to continue providing the care they give, but because there aren’t these kinds of services offered they end up so exhausted physically and emotionally they resort to a memory care or assisted living situation for their family member. Guilford County lacks funding in this vital area and many families would appreciate it if this need was met instead of more funding for “activities, group enrichment, or nutrition programs”.
It should also be noted that Well-Spring is a continuing care facility that the majority of people in this community can’t afford to take advantage of for their long-term care needs so having other respite care resources is vital for family home caregivers enabling them to keep their loved ones at home longer.
If they have a damn about the elderly they’d lower the tax rate or offer some tax relief for seniors. This is just stealing money from the people (tax funds masked as grants) and re-distributing it under the guise of helping the elderly. Keep it up dear Socialists. Your predecessors will keep a warm seat in hell for you right next to those you serve.