Older people in York don’t get home help because of state budget crisis

(York) — As Governor Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders bicker over the state budget, York County is feeling the impact.

The county’s Area Agency on Aging is not receiving state funding, so it’s started a waiting list for personal care services like bathing and home support like laundry and grocery shopping.

In many cases, the home services for older people are less expensive for taxpayers and preferable to moving to a nursing home.

Groups that help domestic violence victims, the homeless and struggling parents also aren’t receive state dollars.

County spokesman Carl Lindquist says the service providers have tried to make ends meet by using reserve funds, shuffling staff, and taking out lines of credit.

“But at some point along the line here, they’re going to be faced with a difficult choice with how to proceed if there’s no money to provide the service, then those services won’t be able to continue,” he says.

Lindquist says anyone who needs help should still contact the county, which has enough cash to get through mid-October.

At that point, it would have to consider taking out a line of credit, which means interest costs.