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Preventing Unnecessary Institutionalization in Nevada
 Many Nevadans are elderly or disabled and now face a growing need of practical helps to survive outside of institutional facilities. Naturally, the number of elderly is growing with our population. But, it will soon snowball as the baby boomers step into the elderly category. This will be a massive shift... approximately 7% over the next 10 to 12 years. This represents a very difficult, twofold problem.
The first challenge is obvious to most of us. As the percentage of elderly requiring (PCAs), Personal Care Assistants surges, so will the costs. The second leg of the problem is far less obvious but every bit as challenging. Staffing, that is finding the people who will become PCAs for our elderly is already a formidable challenge.
 How valuable is the dignity of our elderly and disabled people?
One disability advocate answers that question this way, "It's important enough to stop institutionalization of these people when it is unwarranted. We must have a working plan to establish adequate homecare and other community-based services to finally force an end of this mistreatment. Because of ongoing bureaucratic prejudice, a specific, required-by-law plan must be established."
More than 10 years ago, the United States Supreme Court ruled that unnecessary institutionalization is discrimination. Although Nevada has made some progress in this area, the number of people who are now institutionalized, (and who have formally stated they do not want to be there), is growing. I will work to develop legislation that contains a required course of action to reverse this trend.
I plan to draw from every viable resource to face this issue head on. To do nothing, could result in a grim future of institutionalization for many. The way we treat those who are truly in need is a reflection on the character of the people of our state. And as Nevadans, we choose to be vigilant about protecting the independence and well-being of our citizens who are elderly and disabled.
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