Downer thread.

[Smed1065]

Dad is on is last his last leg. Took me a month to find a home less than $4000. Health care sucks in the USA. Never knew their was nursing-home care insurance. Live and learn. Thanking BTC about now.

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Many nursing homes run on 2-3% profit margins. 24/7 licensed staff care is expensive, not to mention the supplies and overhead provided by the business.

In home care is usually 2-3x the cost and the most expensive option.

Many nursing home residents are on Medicaid because they cannot afford the care themselves. Medicaid currently pays facilities 15-30% UNDER the cost to actually care for the patient. If you actually cared about facilities being able to provide better care, you would vote so that the government stops cutting Medicaid funding for care.

We're $37 trillion in debt to mostly to entitlements. I'm fine with having more spending on nursing home care, but then we need to push back the retirement age for Social Security further for younger folks, or other adjustments without politicians screaming they are taking something away. We can't just spend more, it's already unsustainable as it is now.

Sorry to hear SMED. My Mom and Dad are 85 and 86 and I will be dealing with similar issues soon.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

I won't claim to know all the ins and outs of that industry, but I was a homecare aide for the elderly for a year with five clients... and three of them railed against how many of these places operate very ruthlessly

My 87 year old Korean war combat vet client Jim had a wife in a home with a debilitating illness, and he is a man of fairly substantial means who almost built a small town near me all by himself... and he was almost in tears with me so many times about how draconian and heartless this place was

I went with him to see his wife once around Christmas, and this place was a soul sucking abyss... abandon hope all ye who enter

Two other clients all said the same kinda things about these places, even the supposedly fancy places aren't all they appear to be

If at all possible, my mother will live with me instead

So you have a handful of experience and want to paint the entire industry? That's like eating out at a few bad restaurants and claiming they all suck.

If they are receiving bad care, those homes need to be reported to the state agency. I know patients who have lived a decade in good care homes after things like massive strokes. There are providers who care and know how to provide compassionate care but it's not an industry that is making money hand over fist.

Caring for your parents after massive events like strokes or a chronic disease that wastes the body might be your goal now, but it's unrealistic for most. Providers have been telling state agencies and governments for a decade now that if you want better care, reimbursement at least has to pay the bills. I don't know how we expect any business to keep the lights on when reimbursement is 15-30% below cost of care.

This country is failing it elderly and no one cares until if directly effects them.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by TrebMaxx

The system for seniors that need assisted care is horrible. Mother in-law was in one that was almost $10, 000 a month. The place was terrible, smelled of urine and crap. One time she told us that dinner consisted of a ice cream scoop of tuna salad and saltines. Reform is needed in this area.

Yeah, THIS will be the area where the government decides to spend money.

[PHOG]

My best wishes for your Dad, and especially you. Do the good fight.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by lewdog

So you have a handful of experience and want to paint the entire industry? That's like eating out at a few bad restaurants and claiming they all suck.

If they are receiving bad care, those homes need to be reported to the state agency. I know patients who have lived a decade in good care homes after things like massive strokes. There are providers who care and know how to provide compassionate care but it's not an industry that is making money hand over fist.

Caring for your parents after massive events like strokes or a chronic disease that wastes the body might be your goal now, but it's unrealistic for most. Providers have been telling state agencies and governments for a decade now that if you want better care, reimbursement at least has to pay the bills. I don't know how we expect any business to keep the lights on when reimbursement is 15-30% below cost of care.

This country is failing it elderly and no one cares until if directly effects them.

I'm just telling you what my clients told me

They all have multiple family members and friends in various homes around here, and none of them had much of anything good to say about the cost vs quality of care/food, even at the higher end places

But I'm done with this topic, and I hope everything works out for Smeds dad

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by IowaHawkeyeChief

We're $37 trillion in debt to mostly to entitlements. I'm fine with having more spending on nursing home care, but then we need to push back the retirement age for Social Security further for younger folks, or other adjustments without politicians screaming they are taking something away. We can't just spend more, it's already unsustainable as it is now.

Sorry to hear SMED. My Mom and Dad are 85 and 86 and I will be dealing with similar issues soon.

How old are you?
There definitely needs to be changes, but Medicaid is a state-level program that, yes, is subsidized by the federal government, but that expense cannot be just traded away with raising the age at which people can draw SS.

How many people do you know who are in their late 60s that can still work an average job? It is not many. The physical requirements and attendance make it very hard for people of that age to remain a viable part of the workforce.
How many employers want to employ that same demographic? Not many, and if they do it is at such a low rate of pay that it is not worth it either.

I tried not to get political. If I did, much apologies to everyone, including the mods.

[Rainbarrel]

When people get a certain age, there are some many restrictions. Bending over, weight they can safely lift, dexterity of the hands... Like the NFL, at a certain age you're replaced. Most are running backs with less earnings and more wear and tear

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

How old are you?
There definitely needs to be changes, but Medicaid is a state-level program that, yes, is subsidized by the federal government, but that expense cannot be just traded away with raising the age at which people can draw SS.

How many people do you know who are in their late 60s that can still work an average job? It is not many. The physical requirements and attendance make it very hard for people of that age to remain a viable part of the workforce.
How many employers want to employ that same demographic? Not many, and if they do it is at such a low rate of pay that it is not worth it either.

I tried not to get political. If I did, much apologies to everyone, including the mods.

Nah, I'd say that you're fine.