Senior citizens are expected to be a larger population group than children in about 15 years, as long as current demographic trends keep moving in the same direction that they have been. For many, this has been concerning because it has the potential to lead to a crisis because of a shortage of caregivers. Luckily, this issue has received a lot of attention and there are many programs in place to help alleviate the problem.
When it comes to really ensuring that our elderly loved ones have the care that they need, Washington State is taking steps to lead the way. A few weeks ago, they put a statewide social insurance program designed to help with long term care. Much like Medicare is designed to help seniors and those facing a disability get the care and coverage that they need, this new policy is designed to ensure that elderly individuals have the senior care that they need to be healthy and safe. They are the first state in the U.S. to put something like this fully into action.
Washington’s new program is funded by tax dollars. For every $100 that someone earns, $0.58 is deducted to help cover this cost. It’s a controversial model because it involves a forced tax for a service that not everyone will use, but it’s an attempt at solving a big societal problem. Hopefully, experts will help to refine this model as more is learned about it. And hopefully, other states will learn and see that it is possible to help their residents get the help and supervision that they need in an efficient manner.
Here in California, we’ve seen some great strides taken to preserve the health of our senior family members, but there’s still a lot more that can be done. And the same is true all over the country. Changes to insurance law, better social policies, and more community awareness can all be helpful. However, most people still rely on family members to help them give care. That’s great, but it won’t always be enough to meet the needs of the elders in our society.
That’s where current services must be used. In-home care services, like ours, can go a long way toward helping you to fill in gaps in your family’s care plan. For example, if your mom needs supervision while you’re away at work, that is a great opportunity to rely on the assistance of a professional caregiver. Or, if you need to travel for a few days and you’re not sure how care is going to continue while you’re away, a respite caregiver can step in and meet that need.
Contact us if you have questions about how professional care can meet your family’s needs. There are many things that care can help your family with, but the only way that you can know that is if you’re educating yourself. If you have questions or concerns about senior care, be sure to give us a call or leave a comment to get pointed in the right direction.
Leave a Reply