By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - Increasing demands for in-home assistance by an expanding elderly population have resulted in a much longer waiting list for the Butler County Elderly Services Program.

Butler County commissioners Monday were told that 401 people age 60 and older are waiting for elderly services - up from 102 a year ago.

"We wish there wasn't a waiting list, but there are tough times everywhere," said Bob Logan, CEO of the Cincinnati-based Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, which oversees services in Butler, Hamilton, Warren Clermont and Clinton counties.

Of the 3,349 residents served by the program last year, 1,641 (49 percent) are 80 and older, Logan said. Some 72 percent (2,411) are women, and 76 percent (2,545) have severe disabilities, he said. More than half (52 percent) live alone at home, while the others live with a spouse (23 percent) or caregiver (25 percent).

Because more people are living longer at home, the program's turnover has been slower, Logan said. Nursing home occupancy in Southwest Ohio is the lowest in the state, he said.

Butler County did not have a waiting list until last year, said Arlene DeSilva, Council on Aging chief operating officer. "The needs are just growing and growing," she said.

The agency spends $329 per month per person for home services, while nursing home care costs more than 10 times that much, Logan said.

The county's elderly services levy, renewed by voters 21/2 years ago, generates $8.8 million annually. Of that amount, $2.6 million is spent for 1,445 at-home client services, plus $2.2 million for home-delivered meals to 2,059 people. The agency also spends $1.2 million on "case management," or advice and assistance, for the 3,349 clients, Logan said.

Hamilton, the county's largest city, tops the agency's list with 1,138 clients. Next are Middletown (996), Fairfield (271), West Chester (212) and Fairfield Township (110).

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E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com