There is good news for adult family homes and other long term care programs in Washington . . . and it could have been much worse for assisted living centers.

The Washington State budget passed this week with essentially good news for state-funded long term care.  Some programs surprisingly received a little more money, one program was spared, and another program received a minimal rate cut.  All in all, long term care providers and families who have loved ones in one of the long term care settings were relieved.

The Family Caregiver Support program received a slight increase in funding.  With the increase, the program can continue to provide training, counseling and respite care for unpaid caregivers.

And, due to the passing of Initiative 1163, more funding was approved for the program to train long term care workers so they can receive the required additional training.

Assisted living centers received a 2 percent rate cut.  The general opinion is that a 2 percent cut is tolerable and can be absorbed without having to implement the drastic changes they were anticipating.

Funding for nursing homes, adult family homes and in-home care did not change.

A Caring Heart and the other Professional Senior Advisors who help with long term care issues, including assisted living, are also relieved over the budget news.  Even though A Caring Heart services are free to our clients, we know that having a variety of options is paramount and, with the budget passing as it did, well, those options remained essentially untouched – and even ensures our elderly loved ones who require long term care will receive even better services in the long run.