skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Hegseth could lead troops who'd face getting fired for actions he's done in the past; Strong Santa Ana winds return for SoCal; Southeast Asian refugees in MA fear deportation, seek Biden pardon; RSV rise puts Indiana hospitals on alert; CT lawmakers urged to focus on LGBTQ+ legislation.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Special Counsel's report says Donald Trump would have been convicted for election interference. Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth faces harsh questioning from Senate Democrats, and law enforcement will be increased for next week's inauguration.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

"Drill, baby, drill" is a tough sell for oil and gas companies in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rising sea levels create struggles for Washington's coastal communities, and more folks than ever are taking advantage of America's great outdoors.

Caregiver support in SD likely to receive legislative focus next year

play audio
Play

Thursday, November 30, 2023   

South Dakota's next legislative session is right around the corner, and lawmakers are expected to take a close look at recommendations for enhancing resources for long-term care services.

Ideas for bolstering care infrastructure come from an interim committee that's been studying the issue.

It also coincides with the latest Long-Term Care Scorecard from AARP, which places South Dakota 36th in the nation.

It says the Legislature has made progress in helping the state's 80-thousand unpaid caregivers, but more work is needed.

Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP South Dakota Erik Nelson took part in working groups for the committee, and said there are opportunities for meaningful action.

"More and more people want to age in their home, age in their communities," said Nelson, "and the programs and services that we can offer and fund to allow that to happen, it's going to be very important."

One recommendation is to establish new reimbursement rates for home and community-based services. And AARP calls for expanding the nursing home and in-home care workforce, with improved recruitment and higher pay.

State Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt - R-Sioux Falls, the assistant majority leader in the House - expects lawmakers to have an appetite for additional support, but cautions there might be some funding challenges.

Karla Abbott, associate professor of nursing at Augustana University and an AARP volunteer, had to provide long-distance care for her father prior to his passing.

She said she hopes to see broader awareness around South Dakota as more people are thrust into these roles.

"Whether it's formal or informal, we need to have more caregiver conferences," said Abbott, "places where they bring in a speaker to maybe talk even about health care, Medicare, or options for when your family member gets too sick for you to care for them."

Last session, the Legislature increased funding for adult day services.

Meanwhile, the latest AARP scorecard notes many states have large numbers of people with low care needs living in nursing homes, indicating a lack of home and community-level services.

The national rate for this situation is 9%. South Dakota's is much higher, at 22%.



Disclosure: AARP South Dakota contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
In December, the Oregon Investment council found the state's Public Employee Retirement System returned 2.7%, which lagged other states and its benchmark, in part because of fewer public investments. (Ded Pixto/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A new bill aims to further reduce investments in fossil fuels by Oregon's Public Employee Retirement System. The Pause Act would impose a five-year …


play sound

As the popular role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons turns 50, one Colorado State University instructor suggests today's political leaders could …

Social Issues

play sound

Florida has been a key battleground in the national immigration debate, with past legislation banning sanctuary cities and requiring companies to use …


Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump's border czar, said he will begin mass deportations in Chicago when Trump takes office. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A proposed amendment to strip Chicago of its sanctuary protections is scheduled to be voted on this week. The change to the Welcome City Ordinance …

Social Issues

play sound

A California nonprofit dedicated to helping transgender and gender-nonconforming people find good jobs is looking to expand its mission in 2025…

The Inflation Reduction Act's "direct pay" provisions allow tax-exempt and government entities to receive full-value payments for clean energy tax credits, enabling projects such as Atlanta's resiliency hub. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

By Yessenia Funes for Next City and Yale Climate Connections. Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the …

Social Issues

play sound

Members of the Texas Legislature are back in Austin for its 89th legislative session. After newly elected lawmakers are sworn in, members will vote …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A coalition of Montana groups will rally at the Capitol Wednesday to advocate for the protection of Medicaid expansion, which legislators will debate …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021