By David Richart, Executive Director of Full Life Care – Trapped by a support system that has stood stagnant for 15 years, thousands of Washington’s vulnerable adult population struggle to maintain their independence under outdated policies and increasing need. The Community Choice Guide (CCG) program was created to help our most at-risk residents live and age with dignity, but without a statewide rate increase since the late 2000s, today’s residents in need of these critical supports are facing increasing barriers to maintaining independent living.
The CCG is a targeted intervention designed to support adults at risk of last-resorts like institutional placement or homelessness due to chronic illness, disability, and older age. Trained professionals work directly with individuals to help them navigate complex social service and healthcare systems, providing assistance that allows them to remain at home and as independent as possible. Without social service agencies like King County’s Full Life Care, one of the largest CCG programs in the State, thousands of Washingtonians are more likely to experience homelessness, food insecurity, and housing insecurity, all of which are on the rise as underfunding increases program instability.
The state of Washington, along with many others, is experiencing a profound demographic shift in recent years. Seniors are now the most rapidly growing segment experiencing homelessness. The population of US adults 65 and older has grown exponentially from 13% in 2010, the last time there was a rate increase, to 18% in 2023 (Source: ACS). Washington alone had a 61% increase from 2010-2023 (Source: ACS), with another 17% increase projected by 2030 (Source: CDC Wonder) – numbers of that size demand our immediate attention.
The CCG program is a lifeline for many individuals, with providers serving 100,000 hours across Washington in 2023 alone. (Source: DSHS) But without regular increases that keep up with the cost of living, CCG program providers are at risk of shuttering. Providers are being asked to deliver essential services year after year that reduce the need for more expensive long term care, but at rates that aren’t reflective of increases in population, cost of living, or cost of labor. Providers in King County, where differential rates have remained unchanged for five years, have months-long waitlists and want the opportunity to expand services to keep up with demand but simply cannot afford to do so with these outdated rates. Without the support of CCG, clients face an increased risk of eviction and our region will see more older adults pushed out of their homes and into make-shift unhoused communities in our neighborhoods.
Washington has long prided itself on being a progressive, compassionate state. Our current approach to community care tells a different story. These oversights inhibit people who require tailored, humane care and connection to maintain their independence from getting the supports they need. By allowing CCG rates to remain frozen, we are effectively pushing older residents into isolation and expensive institutional care.
Stable housing and care are human rights and are especially important for our most vulnerable populations. Take Sarah, an elderly woman who lost her apartment to a fire, as one of many examples of the situations many seniors face every day. With no family support and limited financial resources, Sarah was suddenly faced with the prospect of homelessness. Through CCG, dedicated staff helped her secure new housing and even furnish her new home. Like Sarah, our elderly and disabled residents are not burdens. They’re our parents, neighbors, and community members who’ve spent their lives contributing to our state’s economy, and they deserve the state’s commitment to investing in the resources they need to thrive in later life.
Investing in community care is investing in Washington’s future. Increasing CCG rates means preventing homelessness, reducing long-term healthcare costs for families and taxpayers, and honoring the preferences of more than three-quarters of our aging population to remain connected to their homes and communities.
These aren’t just numbers; they represent real people needing care right now. State policymakers must make adequate CCG funding a priority this year. It is already costing older Washingtonians and will only continue to disparage them disproportionately in the future.