North Carolina: We

Cannot Neglect Our

Seniors
TaShonda Bowser
Field work Seminar
September 23, 2016

The Petition
Petitioned by: Anne Keyworth
As of 2012, Citizens of
North Carolina are
trying to reverse the
changes to Medicaid to
cover mentally ill
seniors who depend on
it.

Target Population:
Mentally ill Seniors
Senior citizens that are
mentally ill and are
diagnosed with dementia
but are not physically ill
nor lacking in their
Activities Daily Living also
known as their ADLs.
These ADLs include
bathing, walking and
dressing themselves.

An Overview
Citizens of North Carolina are
petitioning to reverse state
laws that limits the help
provided to senior citizens
who are mentally ill but are
still physically able to do their
everyday ADLs. Particularly
families that have individuals
with dementia or any mental
illness causing them to not be
able leave them alone or
unattended but can still
function on their own and for
themselves. The cut back on
Medicaid funding for these
senior citizens are putting

How can Social workers help individuals in

this population?
Provide
Placement
Pros
Seek resources
available
Seek in home aid for
individuals who are
competent but still
diagnosed with
mentally ill.

Cons
Providing Placement for every
mentally ill patient will take
away from individuals who are
at higher risk and in need of the
resources.
Cut back funding for current
citizens
Increase state taxes
Placement will be over crowded
with not enough staff workers.

What do you want to

see done?

To create new legislation that reverses the effects of this change

and addresses the gap people in this position will be faced with.