It’s a really exciting time to be in the US. The fact that the current healthcare system is being dismantled means that we have the opportunity to fix the most vexing problems.
I didn’t grow up in a military family, but I married into one. That means I’m dealing with paying with healthcare for my parents and aunt, who are on Medicaid and insurance through their work, as well as for my husband with Tricare, the military health insurance.
While I won’t pretend Tricare is perfect, it’s exponentially better than its civilian counterpart, Medicaid, or even private health insurance. I would love to see Tricare extended for all Americans, not just those who’ve served our country directly.
If we couldn’t do that, imagine if Tricare covered all government employees, like teachers and police officers.
The things we insure say a lot about what we value.
Right now, the government has stepped in to say what should be covered by health insurance. They’re about to make that decision again.
When home care is left out of health insurance, that says a lot about what America values.
I can’t think of anyone who’s willing to abandon their family members. Sure, they’re out there, but I’ve never come across anyone.
Usually people aren’t helping because they know another family member will do it. Or they can’t afford to provide the care someone needs, so they do their best to keep their job and still help out.
I don’t know how to fix US healthcare, but I do know this is our chance to ask that the help family caregivers need be written into law.
I’ve been calling my reps and asking for them to cover home health care, provide annual respite for family caregivers, and improve nursing home care. What sort of support do you want for caregivers?
Call your representative today!
Featured image: City of Angels / Shutterstock, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA – December 24, 2015: Old man in a wheelchair is assisted to get off a van using a lift.
No, the USA neglects and is disrespectful of the elderly.
Rad
No! Very sad
No they do not and its only going to get worse.
NO it doesn’t!
No we do not
That’s a big fat no! Disabled and indigent get no love either!
Hell no they don’t and with this moron they elected to president, count on things to get 100% worse!
Does the US take good care of the elderly? NO! We need to do better.
No the USA does not take care of the elderly!!! My mother had Alzhiemer’s & I took care of her for 3& 1/2 years. When she got to the last stage of this horrible illness it wasn’t safe for her to not have 24hr. care. The care facilities are outrageously priced! Range from $2000 to $6000 a month! A person can’t get any help until every penny they have is depleted! Even if you can find a way to afford to get your loved one in a facility that is just the beginning of another nightmare! The workers are under paid & over worked! There are Terrible things that happen because of the kind of people that work at those jobs for barely over minimum wage! This is just WRONG ON EVERY LEVEL!!! It’s time our government does something about this Everyone will someday need help & Everyone deserves Good Care & everyone deserves to be treated with dignity & respect! We as Americans Need to Do Something to Change things & Make This Happen!!!
we’re nothing more than another disposable commodity…
I agree & it’s Not right! Something needs to be done!
No!
No they sure don’t
I have been taking care of my mom for over 2 years and we are about to sell what we have left to keep going , after that I have no idea, the cost is outrage, and they keep taking away more and more !
I agree this happened to me I took care of my mom & mother in law. Has taken every penny we had! This is an OUTRAGE!
I have sold everything I had except my bike, but I an looking at that now to sell to try and keep her home wirh me this year
F35 cost 1.5 trillion. We will be safe from countries that want to take us over and not finance our elderly.
What if you have no immediate family?
Exactly So Many People have No One! Even if a person has family that Love & want to provide good care they have to be Extremely Wealthy to get their loved one care that is not as good as most people treat their dogs!
Scared that I might live that long that I need care.
At $4,000 a mo. for assisted living facility- my Dad could never afford that. Nevermind the cost of in-home nursing care. The waiting list for government programs is so long.
Same here in Canada
This is just plain Wrong on Every Level! Something needs to change!
No,High Cost of Care,Cost of Income Care and Family Care.
They are Not Disposable People!
Staff Abuse-Neglect in Some Care Centers and So Much More.Just think ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE THEIR MIND.Frustration,Fear,Confusion and Pain.
You have to be there everyday to try to make sure there is no abuse going on. But you can’t b there 24/7.
Yes Care is 24/7. I See it in the Caregivers-Family,Family Visiting FAMILY in Centers,I See it In Public Places.
Just Look Around Where You Live and See What You See.
No ! ! !
Absolutely NOT !!!! Shame on on the USA.
I wish I could answer yes to this. But sadly I will have to say No, and I’m afraid it will get worse. 🙁
I worry about what I’ll have to live on once my caregiving days are over. I can’t pay into SS without working so now what? Even if my time was included as paid work, that would be something.
No and it’s about to get worse. Way worse.
This is not an exciting time. It is HORRIFYING TIME! Look for abandonments, patients being tossed onto the streets. How exciting is that! Wheee! cuts cuts cuts…I see no hope of good news. get real.
as I now age, my options are to commit a crime and go to jail. wheee!!! exciting times.
Here in Canada the refugees come in get free glasses free everything. Senior don’t get half as much as they do. They even get $67.00 each for each meal. Who could spend that for breakfast.We are hurting badly too
Our law makers couldn’t care less.
I agree & that is just plain Wrong! They need to do Something to change this in this in America!
No.As a cna I know first hand
He’ll no!
It’s horrible!
No
no
No, sadly. Not even close. I’m a CNA, and my heart breaks daily for my elderly.
No.
Lmao! Nope!!!
Are you kidding me ?? Absolutely NO !!!!
I didn’t know it was the responsibility of the US to take care of the elderly. I have dedicated my life to taking care of my elderly parent(s) and I thought it was family and community.
I hope you never struggle. Really.
I struggle every day with a very sick old parent whom i have given up work and my life for Julie , but thanks
Honestly, I’d like a life beyond caring for my mother. If you can happily spend yours caring for your elderly parents, then that’s all fine and dandy, and I’m glad you can do that – I’m sitting here wishing to whatever God will listen that I can find suitable housing for my mom with dementia, because regardless of all the classes I take and articles I read, her dementia and care are beyond my control and my emotional/mental strength. Not all of us are suited for this job; for some of us, we’re doing it out of sheer necessity.
Linda N Natalie White, I do this alone. No help. None. Nada. Ziltch.