Difficulties Managing Long-Term Care
Long-Term Care facilities, although are part of the healthcare world, have different issues than places such as hospitals. Hospitals struggle with keeping patients safe for a small extended amount of time, while long-term care facilities must focus on patients well-being for months, and in most cases, years.
It is a known fact that the population is becoming older each year. In the year 2050, 88 million Americans will be older than sixty five, which means there will be an even larger demand for long-term care facilities across the country (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Although long-term care facilities are necessary, they are also expensive and require a great deal of upkeep.
In 2011, the total amount spent on long-term care was around $210.9 billion dollars (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Although the government currently pays for the cost of long-term care facilities, what will happen in the future? Since the aging population is growing, this can only mean that the cost of long-term care will only continue to rise. With the Affordable Care Act being in constant review, who truly knows what will happen to Medicaid. Does the government have a plan for continuing to pay for long-term care facilities and their services, or will the pay fall to the families? If the pay travels from the government to the families, will long-term care facilities be able to stay in business?
Healthcare in general is expensive, but when caring for an elder it can be even more expensive; too expensive for a family of four with kids in college, or even a daughter who wants to care for her mother. Long-term care facilities are able to provide the needed care, but what happens when a family can no longer pay for the care, and the government is unwilling to help? What happens to that grandmother who has nowhere to go?
I understand that Medicaid is under review and constantly looking to be repealed and replaced, but my biggest question is what happens when they repeal Medicaid? Does the government have an option in order to help those who are in long-term care? Do they have a way to cover the costs for those who need long-term care the most? Are they able to help those families that want the best for their loved ones, yet can't provide due to financial issues.
I worry that the government has not thought about the ramifications that can occur to the aging population. The population is only going to continue to grow older, and with that, the cost of long-term care will continue to rise, and if there is no plan in place to replace Medicaid, those who need long-term care will be stuck asking for help and finding no resources.
It is a known fact that the population is becoming older each year. In the year 2050, 88 million Americans will be older than sixty five, which means there will be an even larger demand for long-term care facilities across the country (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Although long-term care facilities are necessary, they are also expensive and require a great deal of upkeep.
In 2011, the total amount spent on long-term care was around $210.9 billion dollars (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Although the government currently pays for the cost of long-term care facilities, what will happen in the future? Since the aging population is growing, this can only mean that the cost of long-term care will only continue to rise. With the Affordable Care Act being in constant review, who truly knows what will happen to Medicaid. Does the government have a plan for continuing to pay for long-term care facilities and their services, or will the pay fall to the families? If the pay travels from the government to the families, will long-term care facilities be able to stay in business?
Healthcare in general is expensive, but when caring for an elder it can be even more expensive; too expensive for a family of four with kids in college, or even a daughter who wants to care for her mother. Long-term care facilities are able to provide the needed care, but what happens when a family can no longer pay for the care, and the government is unwilling to help? What happens to that grandmother who has nowhere to go?
I understand that Medicaid is under review and constantly looking to be repealed and replaced, but my biggest question is what happens when they repeal Medicaid? Does the government have an option in order to help those who are in long-term care? Do they have a way to cover the costs for those who need long-term care the most? Are they able to help those families that want the best for their loved ones, yet can't provide due to financial issues.
I worry that the government has not thought about the ramifications that can occur to the aging population. The population is only going to continue to grow older, and with that, the cost of long-term care will continue to rise, and if there is no plan in place to replace Medicaid, those who need long-term care will be stuck asking for help and finding no resources.
Great topic. The really challenging piece is that not all individuals require the level of care provided in a skilled-nursing facility. Medicare only covers the cost of care provided in Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities and Medicare-certified home health or hospice agencies. Many individuals simply require the level of care provided in an assisted living facility or retirement home setting. Those expenses are all out-of-pocket and are HUGE. The average monthly cost of an assisted living facility in the state of Maryland (where I work) is close to $4,000 and averages from $2,000-5,000 nationwide. Here are some of the payment options: https://www.aboutassistedliving.org/how-can-i-pay-for-assisted-living
ReplyDeleteI don't think Medicaid will ever be repealed. But it is chronically underfunded. Great post - very thoughtful.
ReplyDelete