By George P. Hassett

The state Senate has released its $26.7 billion budget proposal that included $5 million in funding to increase the personal needs allowance (PNA) for residents of the Somerville Home and other nursing and rest homes throughout the state. The funding restores the Personal Needs Allowance from $60 per month to its previous 1991 level of $72.80 per month. Restoring the PNA and passing the corresponding legislation are top priorities for Senator Patricia D. Jehlen in her role as chair of the Committee on Elder Affairs, she said.

After hearing Somerville Home residents testify in support of increasing the Personal Needs Allowance at an Elder Affairs hearing, Jehlen and the committee moved the bill forward favorably and advocated for its inclusion in the Senate budget. 

At the hearing, Karen Poirot, a resident of the Somerville Home said, “I had to save my money for 3 months in order to buy this pair of sneakers.” Following Poirot, Somerville Home Resident Elena Lowry testified that “I cannot even afford to buy a winter coat and boots.”

Jehlen said the testimony reached her and helped the bill move forward.

‚ÄúHearing the struggles of these seniors to afford dental care, transportation, even a haircut, underscored the necessity of this legislation,‚Äù she said. ‚ÄúThe testimony presented by Somerville residents was influential in moving the bill out of Committee and getting the program funded in the Senate Budget.‚Äù 

Cheryl Godbout, a social  worker at the Somerville Home, said most of the residents try to remain active, which can be difficult for them, given the small amount of money they have in order to purchase everyday necessities that are required to remain active.  ‚ÄúWith the high cost of living, sixty dollars a month doesn‚Äôt go very far‚Äù she said.

The PNA was reduced in the early 1990s, and has not been increased in sixteen years.  Given increasing inflation, the dollar value of the PNA has declined from $60.00 to less than $40.00 over the last decade.  The inclusion of the $5 million in the Senate budget to restore the PNA will allow residents to maintain personal dignity and enjoy small pleasures, Jehlen said. 

‚ÄúI am proud the Senate responded to Somerville Home residents’ stories and increased the PNA in order to allow residents of rest home and nursing homes to have the financial freedom to make phone calls, send cards, take trips and be actively engaged with the community and their family,‚Äù she said.