Several seniors with disabilities are suing the state for cutting skilled daycare services for adults. The lawsuit claims thousands of seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other debilitating conditions will be at risk.
There are 327 adult day health care programs in California. They provide skilled nursing care, psychiatric services, and meals to disabled low-income seniors five days a week.
The new state budget cuts the programs to three days a week. Elizabeth Zirker is a staff attorney with the non-profit Disability Rights California. She argues the cuts will be devastating.
"This is going to result in people being hospitalized and institutionalized in nursing homes, because they rely so heavily on this program to keep them in their own homes and communities," Zirker says.
Plaintiffs are seeking a temporary injunction to keep the reductions from taking effect this Thursday.
