Helen Sommers: An Oral History
Helen Sommers: An Oral History
Helen Sommers: An Oral History
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pg. 42<br />
STaTe RePReSeNTaTiVe<br />
36 th DiSTRiCT<br />
SeTH aRMSTRoNG<br />
eDUCaTioN<br />
eNeRGY & UTiliTieS<br />
JUDiCiaRY<br />
TeleCoMMUNiCaTioNS<br />
Dear 36th District Seniors:<br />
State of<br />
Washington<br />
House of<br />
Representatives<br />
STaTe RePReSeNTaTiVe<br />
36 th DiSTRiCT<br />
HeleN SoMMeRS<br />
CoMMiTTeeS<br />
WaYS aND MeaNS<br />
eNeRGY & UTiliTieS<br />
NaTURal ReSoURCeS<br />
CoNSTiTUTioN, eleCTioNS &<br />
eTHiCS<br />
leGiSlaTiVe BUDGeT<br />
June 1984<br />
The President of the Senior Citizens Lobby credited the 1983 legislative session with<br />
producing “more benefi cial legislation for senior citizens than any other time since our lobby<br />
was organized.” The 1984 session continues to give matters affecting seniors a high priority. The<br />
following bills were approved this year:<br />
RESPITE CARE<br />
It is estimated that between 60 and 80 percent of the care given to disabled adults is provided<br />
by family members or friends who aren’t paid. Senior citizen groups advocated allowing<br />
occasional time-off for those who provide such care and this year, the Legislature authorized<br />
creation of two “respite care” demonstration projects.<br />
The goal of the projects is to provide family and friends who care for disabled adults – and<br />
who, as a result, rarely if ever have much time to themselves – with a short vacation or a weekend<br />
off by having a respite care worker fi ll in for them. It is hoped that such programs will make it<br />
easier for those who need frequent attention to remain at home instead of being institutionalized<br />
at great monetary and human cost.<br />
NURSING HOMES<br />
Two other important bills were approved this year. One creates a new reporting system<br />
to handle cases involving neglect or exploitation of the elderly. The state will respond to such<br />
reports and offer appropriate protection. The other bill simply provides that nursing home<br />
operators must give each patient who wishes it a reasonable opportunity to have regular contact<br />
with pets. People of every age enjoy such contact, so there is no good reason that moving into a<br />
nursing home should put an end to it. The bill does not force nursing homes to accept live-in pets.<br />
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS<br />
We have enclosed a card to remind you to update property tax exemption law for senior<br />
citizens. Applications for an exemption on 1975 must be made before July 1, 1984. This is the last<br />
year you have to re-apply. Other details concerning the update tax exemption law are contained<br />
on the card.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<strong>Helen</strong> <strong>Sommers</strong> Seth Armstrong
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