BEMBRY’S BILL CREATES JOBS, GIVES SENIORS MORE OPTIONS WITHOUT COSTING THE STATE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – CS/CS/HB 1037, a bill related to continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) by Rep. Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville), unanimously passed the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate during the 2011 Legislative Session. This legislation will provide Florida’s seniors with additional options for care at-home, and creates new, much-needed jobs for more Floridians.

The pro-senior bill will allow Florida seniors the opportunity to contract for CCRC services while still remaining in their home.  Due to the slow economy, seniors are not able to sell their homes at a reasonable value to support their lifestyle in the future.  Some seniors may want to live in their homes longer and this legislation will allow them to do so by providing supportive services.  Continuing care at-home (CCAH) will allow seniors that reside outside the community future access to shelter, nursing care, or personal services at the CCRC until they sell their home or decide to move. The bill will also give seniors the ability to plan for their future.

Rep. Leonard Bembry knows how important this bill will be to Florida’s seniors. “This bill will be a win-win for Continuing Care Retirement Communities, their residents, and their future residents.  It allows seniors the flexibility to remain in their homes while still being able to participate in the community activities and services of a CCRC before they actually move into the facility.  The socialization and services these seniors will enjoy will also help reduce costs shared by the residents of the CCRC,” said Bembry. 

The bill is supported by the Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the Florida Life Care Residents Association and Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation.

“During these extremely challenging economic conditions, our state must find ways to not only preserve, but grow jobs,” said Bembry. “I was very excited to have the opportunity to work with Janegale Boyd and the Florida Homes and Services for the Aging in making this proposed legislation become law.”

The bill will also add much needed jobs around the state as the CCRC communities increase their staff to meet the needs of these new off-site residents. It will be up to the individual CCRC’s to determine which additional services they will provide.

Now that CS/CS/HB 1037 has passed the Florida Legislature the bill will be presented to the Governor for his signature.

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