State's budget crisis taking a toll on local senior programs

Posted: Mar 10, 2010 5:58 PM by Monica Quintero
Updated: Mar 10, 2010 5:58 PM

The state's budget crisis is taking a toll on programs meant to help local senior citizens. The Area Agency on Aging is located in Santa Maria. It helps seniors in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.

The agency said a number of programs have already been cut. Two had been in place for more than a decade. One helped seniors with Alzheimer's. The other assisted about 200 seniors in our community who don't have loved ones near by to help them.

The director of the agency said the governor is now proposing cutting another in home program for the elderly. Joyce Lippman, Area Agency on Aging Director, said, "We now have in each of our counties over 2,000 people who are aging, blind and disabled. That's 5,000 people just here locally who would be without the help that they need. What are we going to do as a community?"

The governor is proposing to cut the program from next year's budget.

Topics: Area Agency on Aging, Joyce Lippman, Area Agency on Aging Director, senior programs, KSBY News, Monica Quintero

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