Critics say the cuts amid a global pandemic could cost some elder Californians their lives.
RELATED: State denies 9 new licenses to owner of Orinda Care Center, site of deadly coronavirus outbreak
As it has been for 40 years, the Mt. Diablo Center remains a lifeline for seniors, not only in Contra Costa County, but from as far away as Napa. But now, thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom's revised budget, state programs that serve 37,000 homebound seniors in California would be eliminated.
[Ads /]
"We knew it was going to be devastating, but we saw complete eliminations of two programs," explained Debbie Toth, CEO and President of Choice in Aging in California. Adult Day Health Care and the Multi-Purpose Senior Services. These programs were designed to and are the only clinical program that keep frail elders living in their homes, instead of in nursing facilities."
That includes Walnut Creek's Bonnie Ronk.
RELATED: Employee claims 8 COVID-19 cases at Central California nursing home could have been avoided
"I'd be devastated because they're my second family and I've been there for six years," said Ronk. "I'd be devastated."
"This is a huge part of their lives," said Ildar Hafizov, who worries his elderly parents would have to move from their own home to a nursing home. "My mom has severe Alzheimer's and we love her dearly," said Hafizov. "We don't want her to have to go to a nursing home. We want her with as much as we can."
[Ads /]
The way it is now, the governor's proposed elimination of these programs would happen quickly, by July 1.
"So there's not even time to put an alternate plan in place for these people, for their caregivers, their families," said Toth. "What happens to them?"
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: How close was CA to becoming a NY-level crisis?
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- How California's COVID-19 cases stack up against other hot spot states
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- List: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the Bay Area?
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Asian American community
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on African American community
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Latino community
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
The fear is based in fact. So far about 40 percent of California's coronavirus deaths have come in nursing homes.