Life Without Homebound

The hundreds literally left homebound with the recent closure of the Homebound Transportation program may be getting rides once again. Onondaga County legislators are looking into restoring this program because the cuts have been such a big deal for people in the community. 

Lou Ann Hadley is just one person who depended on Homebound to get out of her home. Hadley has been homebound for two years since she was diagnosed with severe COPD. She can no longer get behind the wheel with circulation problems in her legs, arthritis, and sleep apnea. 

She used Homebound to get to places like the MOST, restaurants, and the mall, until February 28th when the county's contract with Homebound was cancelled. There were 283 people who depended on this service and it only cost 20 dollars. 

But the county had to make budget cuts and Homebound was one of them. Public Health Administrator Amanda Nestor says, "Our mission is health, shelter, and safety. This didn't meet that criteria, there are other resources." 

One of the other services in the county is Centro Call a Bus. It's the local transit authority with fixed routes and also a call-a-bus service. However, Most homebound people need more assistance. 

The County Health Department sent out a list of alternative options, but for Lou Ann none of them met her needs. Right now, Lou Ann and others are waiting for the County Legislature to meet later this month.