Florida must plan now for an expected increase in its senior population, a state official says.
By Associated Press
Published August 15, 2003
ORLANDO - A coming boom in Florida's elderly population must prompt a reallocation of government resources to meet their needs, Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Terry White said Thursday.
"While we look forward to the many positive aspects that these individuals will bring to our state, we also know that we must prepare for an increased service demands that might be added to our system," White said at the 2003 Florida Conference on Aging.
A sign of the growing demand is already apparent, White said.
Nationally, Medicaid enrollment is growing at an annual rate of more than 6 percent while spending is increasing at a rate of more than 13 If Florida's Medicaid growth continues at its current level, in 12 years the state's Medicaid costs will equal the current state budget of $53-billion, White said.
Earlier in the week, Gov. Jeb Bush kicked off the conference by thanking Florida's elderly for providing an economic boost that has kept the state out of fiscal problems.
Florida residents older than 60 spend $150-billion a year and contribute $2.5-billion more in revenue than they consume in state services, Bush said Monday.
"We don't have the same problems many of our fellow states are suffering with," Bush said. "The one distinguishing feature that separates us from the rest of the pack is we have a vibrant senior population that does not take as much as it gets."
Bush characterized the state's elderly population as Florida's "secret weapon" that provides not only an economic boost but is also an important source of volunteers. He pledged to pay back the elderly with increased money for home and community-based care that would allow elders to be independent and remain in their homes. The governor touted the $5.6-million allocated by the Legislature for a pilot program assisting families caring for Alzheimer's patients; the approval of $137.6-million for prescription-drug benefits for low-income elders; and the increase of funding for community-based care to $412.3-million a year.
"Let's never lose sight of the importance in terms of volunteer time and charitable money, as well as the economic driver that our senior citizens provide," Bush said.
