Elder care in America With each passing day we grow a little older, but we are not alone. In fact, by 2031 the number of baby boomers 65 years old and older is expected to double while the number of individuals over 85 years old is anticipated to increase by a factor of five (Krepcio, 2007). If we are fortunate, we will join those living a long, full life. Nevertheless, we cannot escape one consequence of old age: the increased need for health care services. While many Americans believe that everything in this country is the best of the best yet we must consider: is that true for elder care? Using the Common Good Model I will seek to answer that very question: How does the care of the elderly in America compare to that provided by other developed nations?
What Age is Elderly?
Perceptions of what society considers elderly varies according to the age of the individual being asked.
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The average nursing home in NJ costs $120,000 with one-third of residents paying with their own funds (AARP, 2017). Long term care insurance is used by only 5% of residents which leave Medicaid paying for approximately two-thirds of residents (AARP, 2017). However, before Medicaid can be accessed the individual must have less than $2,000 in total assets. The nursing home option leave families with no inheritance, the patient with less freedom and more emotional angst. It serves it’s purpose in that the individual has a place to reside yet the negative aspects can be insurmountable. Moreover, this option does not treat everyone the same. Those with financial assets must pay their own way while those without funds use public assistance in the form of Medicaid. In addition, the stereotype that some are just using the system to pay for their care as a result of their lack of financial planning can stigmatize individuals unjustly.
Multigeneration Living