The future is unclear for California programs that provide day treatment for frail and disabled seniors. Adult day-health-care centers are looking for some clarity about recent decisions on the state budget.
Last week state lawmakers eliminated funding for the centers. But at the same time, they earmarked $85 million to form a smaller network of the programs.
Lydia Missaelides is executive director of the California Association for Adult Day Services. She said the impacts of that decision remain to be seen.
"But clearly, with a 50 percent reduction in the budget for adult day health care, that can only translate into a significant number of individuals losing service," Messaelides conceded.
Some 37,000 seniors with chronic illnesses and disabilities get care at the centers. About 3,000 seniors are enrolled in San Diego County.
Missaelides said there are 310 adult-day-health-care centers statewide. She says it's unknown whether any of the programs will be forced to close.
