From time to time my father would have to be hospitalized. Although he had memory deficits at home, it became much worse at the hospital or rehabilitation facility. He didn’t know where he was but he knew he wanted to be home. On one occasion he tried to escape from his hospital bed which resulted in a fracture.

I am strongly in favor of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). This government program is for older, lower income folks with health or mobility problems. Helpers are provided that can assist with cleaning, eating and necessary household tasks.

It is cheaper to help older citizens stay in their home instead of being in a long term care facility. They usually are happier. My mother lived for nine years after her stroke. My dad, despite 101 complications, managed to reach his 88th birthday. They felt grounded and secure in the home they had built in 1954. They preferred to live out their days in a familiar and comfortable environment.

California’s budget crisis has resulted in many cuts to social programs, including IHSS. This program, administered at the county level, is mostly funded with state and federal dollars. The Modesto Bee reported that Stanislaus County reduced the IHSS budget from $58.3 million to $44.4 million. Local IHSS workers are paid $9.38 an hour; Stanislaus County is trying to reduce their pay to save money.

The Bee reported, “If enrollment trends continue, the program will need an additional $1.3 million from the county next year and $12.2 million from the federal and state governments.”

It is difficult to increase funding for social programs when revenue is decreasing. On the other hand, it would help our local economy to have $12.2 million in additional state and federal dollars. This money would be spent locally by IHSS workers and much of this money would be spent again. This is called the economic multiplier. One article on the subject gave the minimum multiplier as 1.5 times.

State and county officials should consider the economic impact of outside dollars when making budget cuts. If you have a choice to cut $1 in the budget and lose $1 of spending, that is better than cutting $1 and losing $10 of state or federal matching dollars.

Mensinger is a Modesto businessman. Write to him at columns@modbee.com