PA - Carole Gebhard

I am writing this as an individual. In the 4 years that I have worked in the Office on Aging, there have been a lot of changes to the way that assessments are made and care plans are decided on. I do not believe that any of the changes have resulted in improved care and services for the participants. Increased paperwork and red tape are very frustrating for me. I feel that my expertise as a professional nurse has been set aside due to practices that remove decision making away from the home setting. I feel that I can be a good steward of taxpayer money while ordering services that meet an individual's needs. I do not believe that everyone fits into a cookie cutter picture; the long-term disability community and the senior population are not the same in my view. The required designation of NFI and NFCE creates difficulties and increased paperwork; if that can be eliminated, that would be beneficial. Financial eligibility should remain in place, of course. I am in favor of anything that simplifies the entire process. I believe that the answer to saving money is to start at the top to eliminate what is not necessary. Thank you.