Program to help seniors live at home to be cut

SALEM, Ore. - About 40 years ago the state pioneered a program called Oregon’s Project Independence which helps seniors stay in their homes, but now it’s on the chopping block due to the state’s attempt to fill a $577 million budget gap.

“It would hurt an awful lot of people, because I’m not the only one in a mess like this. We don’t ask for it,” said Wanda Eck who relies on the program.

Three times a week, the 77-year-old Eck is visited by a state-paid caretaker. The woman buys her groceries, cooks, cleans, and does her laundry.

“She’s it. Without her, I don’t have a survival because I can’t do these things.”

But the program is about to go away and Eck said she doesn’t know what she’ll do.

“I have no idea. I don’t know. I’ll figure something out. I don’t know,” she said blowing her nose on a tissue.

Bob Weir works for Northwest Seniors and Disability Services which contracts with the state to run Oregon’s Project Independence. He said cutting the program will cost taxpayers more in the long run: from $400 a month to $4,000 a month to move them to assisted living.

“If it happens, we should follow it along. I think we would see we have higher costs down the road, and will see it’s penny-wise and pound foolish,” he said.

Eck tried to keep her spirits up on Thursday, however.

“Something will work out. It always does,” she said.

Caseworkers said some seniors booted off the program will manage for awhile by asking neighbors or family for help but others will immediately turn to Medicaid.