For Immediate Release:
October 26, 2005
Sen. Leftwich Promotes ‘One Stop Shop’ Legislation for Aging
Services
With all the difficulties many older Oklahomans face each
day, getting needed state services shouldn’t be so hard. That’s
according to State. Sen. Debbe
Leftwich, who announced plans for legislation to create a “one
stop shop” for Oklahoma seniors.
“The problem right now is that there are at least eight agencies
older people have to deal with when it comes to aging services. It can
be extremely frustrating and there may well be some individuals who
simply don’t get the services they need because it is too difficult
for them,” said Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “I’ve tried
to help constituents work their way through this maze of agencies and
I know how hard it can be.”
Leftwich has authored legislation to create a Department on Aging which
will consolidate all the services and funding for aging programs. Leftwich
discussed her bill with the Silver Haired Legislature which met at the
State Capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Charles Campbell of Bethal Acres is the past president of the Oklahoma
Silver Haired Legislature’s Alumni Association. He said his organization
has been calling for a single aging agency for the past four years.
Campbell said this is exactly what older Oklahomans need.
“Absolutely—this is the vehicle that needs to be in place
so that the seniors can have their own department. Many other states
already have this,” he said.
Campbell said it was especially frustrating when seniors
call what they think is a hotline at a state agency only to find an
automated answering system on the end. He said when they do finally
speak to a live person, they’re often transferred several times
and many give up in frustration.
Campbell said there are already 600 thousand Oklahomans over the age
of 60 and that by the year 2010 it is estimated there will be over a
million. He said that makes it even more critical to address the issue
this coming session.
“We’re the ones who built this state—we’re the
ones who made it what it is today. We need to make sure our seniors
are taken care of,” Campbell said.