TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Somebody To Lean On

ADVERTISEMENT

By SHERRI ACKERMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

Updated: 06/28/2008 12:17 am

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Aging Services Department is a lifeline for 77-year-old Jean Parrish, who is blind.

The onetime South Tampa bartender, waitress, fruit picker and housekeeper broke her leg in three places in December when she fell trying to get her mail.

Twice a week now a county home health aide gets Parrish's mail, sweeps and mops her floors and picks up groceries and medicines.

Without the help, Parrish, who has no one else to rely on, might end up in an assisted living facility or nursing home - something she does not want.

"I wouldn't live in no nursing home," a fiery Parrish declares. "Not when I can do for myself."

That's the idea behind providing such services for elderly residents - keeping them independent and living in their homes.

But as the county struggles to trim $87 million from its $3.87 billion budget, home health aide jobs are among 100 facing elimination. That could result in more work for fewer aides and a loss of services for some of the more than 5,000 clients who depend on them.

"The majority of our clients live totally alone," said Lynne Roberts, a coordinator with the Aging Services Department. "They have no caregiver, no relatives."
County Administrator Pat Bean released a proposed budget this month that calls for cutting 13 positions from Aging Services, including six adult and in-home service workers. The move would save the county about $900,000.

There are a total of 20 adult and in-home positions within the department, Roberts said. Two of those are vacant and likely will be among the ones cut; possibly only two other positions would be eliminated, she said.

"We don't know what's going to happen yet," Roberts said. Losing even two workers, "is going to impact us. It's going to hurt everyone."

Commissioners are reviewing proposed cuts during summer workshops. Residents can voice their concerns at public hearings that will be held before the budget is adopted Sept. 18.
Budget deficits are affecting counties and cities statewide because of the loss of property taxes due to the passage of Amendment 1 in January and lagging sales tax collections.

Pinellas County is looking at cutting 194 jobs and slashing its 2009 budget by $55 million. Nearly $10 million could come from the Health and Human Services Department, where employees were asked to look for savings by trimming nonessential services.

For example, Pinellas will consider revamping its financial assistance program that helps residents pay light bills and other expenses to keep them in their homes.

The program now offers 36 months of assistance, but soon only six months of help might be guaranteed while clients search for jobs and apply for other help, said Elithia Stanfield, Pinellas County's assistant county administrator. That would save the county $300,000.

"The biggest hit is in health care," Stanfield said.

Pending cuts and a weak economy have Hillsborough home health aide Tiffany Poole thinking about her options.

A county employee for about five years, she's preparing for a backup career.

Poole takes night classes for cosmetology at Tampa Bay Tech, but she said her heart belongs with the people she helps for the county.

"I love working with my clients," said Poole, 25, who got interested in the field after helping care for her ailing grandmother. Even if she found another job, "I'd do this part-time anyway."

Her day begins at 8 a.m. when she fixes breakfast for one of her three or four daily clients before diving into laundry, dish washing and other chores. Sometimes she runs errands, but usually Poole stays in the home pitching in with whatever residents need, which providing companionship.

In the afternoons, Poole plays cards with seniors who attend one of the county's service centers. Afterward, she returns to her in-home work.

"It's just a blessing to have that help," Poole says knowingly. "They really appreciate it."

For 68-year-old Naomi Williams of east Tampa, it has meant being able to remain on her own. Poole stops by three days a week and cleans house or helps Williams wash her hair.

"It's a lot of help," said the grandmother of six, who has arthritis and trouble breathing. "I want to live and enjoy a good life."

And she wants commissioners considering any cuts to her program to "please think about the elderly." After all, Williams said, "they're going to get there, too."

Reporter Sherri Ackerman can be reached at (813) 259-7144 sackerman@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT