Videos on Aging and Long Term Care
Two Tales of LTC Insurance
"This popular insurance is not without some potential problems. Understand fully what you are getting." - ABC News
America is on the threshold of becoming the first ever mass geriatric society, with tens of millions of people living into their 80s, 90s and beyond. - P B S Front Line
For millions, living longer can mean serious, chronic problems. Yet just as the need for caregivers is rising, the number of them is dwindling.
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P B S Front Line
Nursing homes are the reality for 60% of those over 85. It's not always a downturn from some. But the loss of independence and family still hurts. - P B S Front Line
The Haak's family story is a universal one. And, when Wayne Elliott was dying, he had the counsel, comfort of a doctor who knew and understood him. - P B S Front Line
Technology now blurs the lines when making the agonizing decision about how long an old and infirm loved one should keep being treated. - P B S Front Line
Who can really know in advance how they will feel about it when they approach their final weeks ... days? Can we somehow prepare in advance for this? - P B S Front Line
"A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." ~ Mahatma Ghandi
Long Term Care Realities
While PrepSmart.com tries to lighten the mood surrounding Long Term Care, in general, it truly is a sobering subject.
Since the 2000, nursing homes across the U.S. have been shutting down at an alarming rate, due to lack of government funding. Medicaid pays less than what care costs and facilities that have more Medicaid patients, cannot keep their doors open.
Due to lack of funding, in most nursing homes, there have been cutbacks in staffing and, therefore, basic care. Cutting costs by not doing background checks and hiring less trained caregivers has led to abuse and lack of medical attention. These are serious issues that must be addressed.
As Baby Boomers age, they may find themselves without the necessary infrastructure to provide long term care, without paying exhorbitant out-of pocket costs or having enough insurance to provide for their care.
Personal solutions: Save 100's of 1000s of dollars for possible LTC care or get Long Term Care insurance.
Political Solutions: Vote for candidates that support government funding for the poor (you may be one someday), and write your congress people to encourage them to shift government spending (and favors) to support the funding of Medicare and Medicaid.
"...the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped. " ~Last Speech of Hubert H. Humphrey