106-year old advocates for senior citizens

Maralyn Chase says Marianne Jones energizes support for adult day health programs

February 10, 2009

OLYMPIA—Marianne Jones of Lake Forest Park may have set a record when she came to Olympia to advocate for continued state support of adult day health programs.

Marianne is 106 years old.

Even long-time legislators and staff could not remember an advocate coming to Olympia whose advice reflected the experiences of 106 years.

"I was thrilled to meet Marianne and to hear her support for adult day health programs," said state Rep. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline. "Her involvement is truly uplifting and energizing to supporters of the program like myself, and will make any opponents think twice about the value of the service. "

Chase emphasized that the early-action budget proposed by the state House of Representatives preserves adult day health programs, which were on the chopping block in Gov. Chris Gregoire's first budget proposal. If Chase and the House get their way, the program will continue to serve senior citizens until at least the end of the current budget cycle and possibly far into the future.

Jones takes advantage of services provided by the Northshore Adult Day Health Center in Bothell. She came to Olympia with her daughter, Dianne F. Moore.

"Marianne Jones is an inspiration who's showing that you are never too old to help others or to be part of the democratic process," said Barbara Baker, the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. According to Chase, eliminating adult day health services would be "penny-wise pound-foolish budgeting at its worst."

"Senior citizens love community-based adult day health services because they are often the best way to avoid nursing-home care," said Chase. "Policymakers should love them too, because nursing-home care costs nearly 10 times as much to provide.

We are literally saving millions of taxpayer dollars by doing what seniors really prefer, and that is smart budgeting in any book."

Chase said she is guardedly optimistic about the long-term prospect of state funding for adult day health services.

"Having inspiring allies like Marianne Jones and her daughter Dianne certainly helps," Chase said.