They lack access for home-based care by:
1) not having money to pay for qualified care
2) not having family or friends that are willing or able to be caregivers

While it is true and a sad state of affairs that caregivers are amongst the lowest paid jobs in the U.S., it is not necessarily true that there will be a shortage of caregivers for those who can afford to pay decent caregivers’ wages. Why?

One factor that might be skewing this report’s findings is that there is a “black market” of caregivers. These are people who do not work through agencies, usually are not licensed, and would not be counted in a report. While it is cheaper to hire these caregivers, because one does not pay a “cut” to an agency, there is no way of knowing if these caregivers have criminal backgrounds or complaints against them. While some black market caregivers may be wonderful, you take your chances.

Even though Americans may balk at making less than $10 per hour for hard work, there are people in other countries who welcome the opportunity. Even now, people are immigrating to the U.S. who are willing to fill our caregiving needs. Many are coming from India, a country that values it’s elders much more than we do here in the U.S. In a way, I’d rather be taken care of by someone who has been raised to honor their elders, rather than by someone who has been brainwashed by our media to worship youth and denigrate or ignore the wisdom, experience and, yes, needs of the aged or differently-abled.

It is obvious that Americans also do not value caregivers enough to demand that they be paid well. Even “unskilled” caregivers need to make a living wage. As it stands now, some caregiving agencies take the bulk of the money they charge their clients, while paying the caregiver a fraction of their “take”. I equate agencies such as these to a pimp and prostitute relationship. Pay your workers well, agencies, and we will not have the problem we do today.

It’s time for Americans to wake up and see the problems that are at hand. Protecting yourself with Long Term Care insurance can make sure that you do not have to be a burden to your family or depend upon black market caregivers during one of your most vulnerable and dependent times of life.