Yesterday, we highlighted some of the important changes that Medicare will be making some time in 2016. These are well intentioned, but the question remains: is Medicare enough? It’s an important question to ask now, especially if we have, or are about to have, older family members that are likely to require care. And because current statistics say that most people over the age of 65 will need care at some point in their lives, this describes most families.
The answer is largely dependent upon each individual’s financial situation. For some, Medicare plus their retirement savings will be enough. For most, it won’t be. This is why those changes are so important. It aims to take a huge portion of the burden off of the families, and puts it back upon their insurance. When public insurance like Medicare is your safety net, you expect it to care for you. If you are no longer working because of retirement and do not have insurance through your job, other protection is needed. That is Medicare’s purpose.
The truth is, for most people, Medicare is not currently enough. If extensive senior care is needed, Medicaid becomes a necessity. And here, the care can sometimes be appalling when it comes to how poorly it is provided. Private companies (such as Paradise In-Home Care) are attempting to alleviate the issues here. Having greater backing from the government will more than likely allow these services to provide a better service. So, while Medicare isn’t yet enough, there are things that can be done to overcome the problems. It will likely not be an immediate fix, but it is a step forward and it shows that the government is beginning to address the issue.
In the meantime, you need to take the steps to find adequate care for your elderly loved ones. You can provide care yourself as a family caregiver, or look to a professional for assistance. There are many high quality care services out there, just be sure that you are getting what you pay for. If you are spending money to pay a caregiver, you want to make sure that the care you get is better than you would provide yourself. You want someone that is loving, knowledgeable, and professional. You want someone that will give the same type of attention to your loved one that you will when you are able to yourself. Whether or not Medicare is enough to provide for your loved one doesn’t address the issue of how they are cared for, remember. Ensure that they are loved regardless of who is watching them.
We know that there is a need for more senior care. More professional caregivers are needed, and higher quality care overall is needed, too. There are many caregivers out there now, and many are very good at what they do, but as the senior population grows, this will become a scarce resource in some areas. If you are thinking about finding an in-home caregiver for a loved one, it’s not too early to start the search. The quicker you begin, the better your chances of securing the best care for their set of needs.
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