Ottawa ? When legislators began their session this year, Elizabeth Maxwell worried that many of the state’s elderly could end up on the short end of the stick.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius wanted to spend $6.4 million on the Senior Care Act in the budget year beginning July 1 — $800,000 less than the current budget.

That program, funded mainly from state money, provides in-home assistance for those who need it, particularly the elderly.

Maxwell, executive director of the East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging, was concerned lawmakers might make further cuts to help bolster the state’s sagging revenues.

“At that point, there was fear there would be cuts on top of the cuts,” said Maxwell, whose agency covers Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, Linn, Miami and Osage counties.

But when Legislature adjourned May 6, Maxwell got a pleasant surprise.

Lawmakers actually had increased funding enough to ensure that some 300 people in the six counties would continue getting assistance with housekeeping and laundry, bathing and personal care.

“It was like they finally came around,” she said. “I think people just kept telling legislators what needed to be done.

“There’s just a few things you have to do, and taking care of the elderly is one of them.”

Maxwell said another $500,000 was added for the program that serves some 5,500 people statewide. For her office, the increase probably will be around $20,000.

“It’s not a lot, but it will help,” Maxwell said. “A little bit of money goes a long way when working with in-home services.”

The additional money will mean that instead of worrying about having less, spending for the program in the six counties will remain around $540,000.

“The number-one priority is providing attendant care and homemaker services, because that determines if you stay in your home,” she said.

The additional money will mean Maxwell can provide a few extras for those needing them, like a wheelchair ramp in the home or paying for dentures or a hearing aid.

The goal of the Senior Care Act is to provide some basic assistance so people can stay in their homes. The alternative often is going to a nursing home.

The program really is a money-saver for the state. The average monthly statewide cost for the program is $100 per person versus some $3,000 for nursing home care.

Maxwell said there never were plans to drop anyone from the program in the six counties, although there were worries about having to cut services, or not being able to add anyone even if they qualified.

The extra money puts that fear aside.

“In the end, with a little bit of help from the Legislature, you end up with more people getting services,” Maxwell said.

Lawmakers also added $8.1 million for the Home and Community Based Services, a separate program for in-home care aimed at the state’s Medicaid recipients.

That money will be used to reduce the waiting list of elderly and disabled Kansans needing in-home services.

In the six-county area, Maxwell’s agency has about 50 people on the HCBS waiting list and 350 receiving those services.

But the extra money for that program also will help the Senior Care Act, which has no waiting lists in the six counties.

Because of the HCBS waiting list, some people who qualify for those services are in the Senior Care Act, so they can receive in-home assistance.

With the extra money, they will be moved to the HCBS program, where they also will be eligible for medical care they couldn’t afford.

That will free up space in the Senior Care Act for additional people in the six counties.