Care – Long Term Health Care And Baby Boomers

We are reaching a milestone in our society as for a number of years a large percentage of 30 million Baby Boomers, have freely provided, and lovingly cared for their aging parents. Using the measurement of average hourly wages, it has been estimated that the total amount of this care given by Baby Boomer equals the entire Medicare budget. Approximately 7 million Boomers have provided long distance care to their parents with an average out of pocket expense of $5,000 per month. For those that had decided to care for their parents themselves, in their homes, the cost of doing so is not only a financial one but an emotional one. Depending on the level of care required, providing the necessary care for an elder parent can be no less taxing on one’s time and energy, than caring for needs of a young child. And now, these same boomers are facing the prospect that they themselves are approaching their senior years and may soon have to seriously give thought to how, and who, will provide for their care.

That 7 million Baby Boomers provide in home care for their parents is rather an amazing statistic considering that in American culture we expect, or demand, that our children move out of the house when they reach eighteen, and that aging parents be taken care of in some form of senior housing or some other type of elder care facility. This American Culture mind-set is a far cry from many other cultures where several generations all live together, and care for each other. In those cultures, it is simply accepted that in the majority of circumstances one’s parents will eventually peacefully die at home, in their own beds. In those countries, caring for one’s parents is simply seen as a duty that is just a part of life. While, with Americans caring for one’s aging parents is perceived as a sacrifice of one’s own life.

To illustrate this point, we present you with a direct quote from no less than a medical professional who states, “Usually loved ones are on a path of steady decline with cascading assistance needs. Some caregivers sacrifice large chunks of their own lives as they help their parents and other family members and friends peacefully make their transitions. Caregivers can pay with their own health and well-being. In fact, we have evidence that some caregivers pay for their acts of care with their very lives.” .However no evidence is presented to back up the ascertain that to care for one’s elders can be akin to committing suicide. With these kinds of statements coming from medical professionals it is of little wonder, that we treat aging as if it were a transmittable disease that we need to be protected from

It is this attitude, this lack of assurance that they will be cared for by family, that leaves a major portion, of the large population of Boomers quickly approaching their senior years somewhat bewildered. It is also this attitude that has spurred a growing industry that, with the help of the insurance companies, public policy, federal and state monies, caters to keeping elders separated into senior communities, assisted living homes, and nursing homes designed to care for them.

However, and this is the good news, the whole of the health care industry is new beginning to get more creative in providing alternative on-home care options for seniors.

Long Term Care