Ensuring that senior citizens have the proper amount of senior care is a basic value that most everyone can agree on. What this looks like in practice is where things start to get complicated. In the U.S., there is not much that is covered by Medicare when it comes to senior care. It’s only through Medicaid (or, Medi-Cal here in California,) that a good portion of senior care is covered. This is only applicable to individuals who have a low income and little savings, and it severely limits the amount of choices that are available to that individuals. In most states, those choices are limited to a nursing home.
Some states are starting to see that this is not as helpful–or as cost effective–as it could be. New Jersey and Minnesota have led the way when it comes to expanding senior care services that are extended to those with Medicare, but there’s still room for improvement across the board. In-home care is often more than enough to help meet the needs of seniors who are struggling, and it is a fraction of the cost of a nursing home.
Funding these things just makes sense. It is a service that most seniors will need, and it is far more cost effective when compared to a nursing home. There’s nothing wrong with nursing homes, but the services that they offer tend to be more than what most people need.
Over the course of your life, there is a good chance that you will need some sort of long term senior care. Current statistics indicate that more than 50 percent of seniors aged 65 or older will need some sort of care during their lifetimes. Only ten years ago, that number was below 50 percent. As the general population ages and as healthcare increases in quality, people will live longer lives, and that typically means that the need for senior care will increase. While a lot of disabilities can be diminished in severity, things like strokes, dementia, and autoimmune diseases still do not have a definitive cure. The quality of the lives of people suffering from these things will improve over time, but supervision and assistance will still be necessary.
How are we going to ensure that people in these situations have the assistance that they need?
Progress is being made. Many politicians support a more comprehensive health care system that would completely cover this need, while others believe that it should be up to each individual to secure their care on their own. Most people agree that something in the middle is necessary.
Regardless of what happens, we can be proactive regarding the health of our elderly loved ones right now. That might mean finding a more ideal type of senior care for them, providing care ourselves, or something else. Each family is different with unique needs.
Let us know how we can help you. Our free consultation can help you to learn more about care and how you can find and afford the right services for your family.
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