Home Care Service Providers Concerned by Stalled FY25 Supplemental Funds

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shares deep concern as critical funding for home care services remains stalled in the legislature awaiting final approval and passage.

OCES is the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts.

First proposed by Governor Healey in a supplemental budget filed in early April, this $60 million allocation would alleviate the considerable fiscal challenges being confronted by ASAPs across the state due to substantial deficits in key home care accounts and ensure that the ASAPs are provided with the funding necessary to purchase home and community-based services, according to Mass Aging Access (formerly known as Mass Home Care).

As the ASAP network awaits further legislative action, a $60 million deficit for the final month of FY25 puts ongoing home care services at risk and creates severe cash flow issues going into FY26.

“We are grateful for the months of conversations with our partners in the Executive Office of Aging and Independence and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services that pushed this funding out of the Governor’s office,” said Betsey Crimmins, Executive Director of Mass Aging Access. “However, our network remains extremely concerned by the compounding challenges caused by the current budget deficit. Our member agencies must continue to provide the critical services individuals need each and every day, while also making payments to our home care agency partners who employ the direct care workers - but this is not sustainable without additional cash flow. We urge immediate passage of this funding to ensure that ASAPs can continue to provide services and pay their providers without interruption.”
“We are very concerned that home care services which include home delivered meals, personal care, homemaking and behavioral health programs may be jeopardized without additional funding,” said Nicole Long, CEO. “These are vital daily services that support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities in our communities.”

OCES joins with Mass Aging Access in the call for urgent passage of the $60 million in supplemental funding to the home care purchase of services line-item that would reduce unnecessary strain and challenges for essential home care providers across the state. These services are proven to be a fraction of the cost for nursing home stays that maintain the dignity, independence, and safety of Massachusetts’ older adults. This funding is key to the continued stability, consistency, and reliability of these key providers and services.

OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 50 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities.

Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561.