Oklahoma baby boomers may bust budget

In 2008 the number of people in the ADvantage program, which provides care services that allow people over 65 and those with disabilities to live in their homes, was higher than the number of Medicaid patients in nursing homes for the first time. Those in the ADvantage program numbered 23,585, compared with 21,606 in nursing homes.

"Every study out there shows that people want to stay at home rather than go to a nursing home.” said Tom Dunning, a program administrator at the state Department of Human Services Aging Services Division.

Dunning said the ADvantage program is cost effective — $28 per person per day compared with a cost of $100 per person per day for nursing home care.

The dilemma for the DHS is that federal law obliges them to provide Medicaid nursing home care for everyone who qualifies, but the ADvantage program is optional and so may have to absorb some of next year’s anticipated budget cuts.

Dunning said budget cuts to ADvantage may mean a waiting list.

If budget cuts at ADvantage result in a waiting list, that list could be prioritized to serve the most needy first, said Claire Dowers-Nichols, programs supervisor of the DHS Aging Services Division.

"The service providers we’re working with have seen hard times before,” she said. "And they’re very good at stretching a dollar.”