More and more often, we are seeing editorial pieces indicating that the major failing of senior care during the COVID-19 pandemic was because of the for profit side of care. Critics of this model say that senior care is too difficult to regulate when it is run as a private, for profit entity. They state that the for profit aspect of care has led many to forsake the best interests of those that they serve and neglect quality care.
Eliminating the for profit side of care might solve some problems in some agencies and service providers, but it creates a whole list of new ones. Competition is a natural part of any business, and it is the same with senior care. For profit care drives innovators and competitors because people want the best for their loved ones. Additionally, competition helps to keep costs manageable.
Inherently, there’s nothing wrong with for profit care, regardless of whether it is senior care or child care. The issue is that there has been a lack of accountability and oversight in these areas. There are several ways that these things can be improved, though. Better enforcement of regulations, more thorough inspections of care practices, and better training for care employees would all be a good start in the right direction for the industry as a whole. These are all practices that we try to instill as a service already.
Although we have plenty of ideas on how the quality of care can be improved across the country, ultimately, these are decisions that are not up to us. They are up to politicians and regulatory bodies. That’s where you can play a role. If you have ideas or concerns regarding improving care, please feel free to voice them. This might mean a letter to your local politicians, a petition, or some other form of activism. But however you decide to voice your opinions, you really do have an impact on how things might proceed from here. Don’t be afraid to stand up for the people that you care about.
The right care for a loved one might not look like a traditional form of care. If it meets your family’s needs, that’s 100 percent okay. Care doesn’t need to look the same for everyone. And really, it shouldn’t. No two people are the same, and their care shouldn’t be either. Focus on your loved one’s needs, and find the care that best meets them, not the other way around.
Do you have questions about finding the right type of care? We’d love to help. We offer a free consultation service designed to help you get started. So, regardless of whether you’re looking for private or public care, we can help answer your questions in a no-pressure, no-commitment setting. We’d love to be the service that works with your family, but we know that not everyone will benefit from what we have to offer. If we’re not the best service for you, we can help you find what will help the people you care about.
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