Homecare- a national problem - Newnan Times-Herald

Jack Bernard was formerly SVP of a national healthcare corporation and the first Director of Health Planning for GA. He was Chairman of the Jasper County GA GOP. He's now Vice Chairman of a Board of Health in Fayette County, a suburb of Atlanta.

"a world that is confusing, costly, frightening, under-regulated, and lacking in transparency"-AARP description of long-term care services

For seven years, I was the full-time home-based caregiver for my wife, who had lung cancer. I'm currently the primary caregiver for her mother, who has Alzheimer's and is in assisted living here.

It's an extremely stressful position to be in. I can tell you from personal experience that it is not an easy job for anyone, no matter what your skill set or disposition.

With 38 million members, AARP is the leading national advocacy group for seniors. It has been heavily involved with all aspects of care for our elderly.

There are currently bills on both the state and federal levels which address the issue of homecare. AARP recently submitted a statement to the Special Committee on Aging of the U.S. Senate (https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/politics/advocacy/2022/03/senate-aging-comm-hcbs-hearing-statement-aarp-32222.pdf ). It discussed the failures of our healthcare system regarding care for the elderly.

As background, last year AARP conducted a "Home and Community Preferences Survey." As one might expect, 79% of people over 50 years of age own their homes. And 75% want to stay in their own house as they age, even though it may mean making modifications to their houses. For example, in my three-floor home we put in a chair lift for my wife. It was very expensive, but a lot cheaper than moving to a ranch style house.

In my case, we moved to my current residence in Peachtree City 7 years ago. We relocated from a 6000 square foot house on a very large lake surrounded by 5 acres of woods. It was fine when we were younger, but too remote to get adequate medical care for my sick wife.

We chose Peachtree City because my daughter and her family live here. They moved here mainly for the schools. But PTC has also got everything seniors want- a great hospital, good roads, unique golf cart paths, convenient stores and services, excellent law enforcement, and relatively affordable housing compared to areas north of Atlanta. My wife has since passed away. But like most seniors, I'm staying put.

Financially, I'm more fortunate than most people. I was a Senior Vice President with a corporation, and we didn't have a lavish lifestyle. We saved and I retired young.

Many people are not in the same position. My 88-year-old best friend and his wife have a variety of physical problems due to illness. They were getting home care services, but they got cut off due to agency budgetary issues. Now, he is looking for a senior living complex. And, although he worked into his seventies, the financing is impossible for him.

For example, I did a quick survey of memory care units in the PTC and Newnan area. They ranged from $4,900 to $6,500 a month for a smaller room for just one person. Larger rooms cost even more. Most people simply cannot afford to pay those prices.

If my friend and his wife are forced to eventually go into a nursing home, he will have to qualify for Medicaid. That means first selling everything he owns and then becoming destitute to qualify.

But there should be a much better alternative.

My friend needs direct help to stay in his house instead of relocating to a facility. As AARP states, "Investing in home care, called home and community-based services (HCBS), will help get individuals the services and supports they need, where, when, and how they need them."

AARP correctly states that the long-term care non-system is an utter failure. Home healthcare costs one-third what a nursing home does per individual. The government's Medicaid money is being spent incorrectly to fund nursing home slots. People want to stay in their homes. Medicaid should help them to do that by providing funding for in home care.

AARP also advocates for other common-sense approaches including providing tax credits for unpaid homecare givers and paid family leave for those employed but giving care. And increasing the number of direct care workers by improving training and working conditions, as well as increasing salaries and benefits.

The current dismal situation is bound to get worse as the American public ages. The time to move on both the federal and state level is now.

Jack Bernard was formerly SVP of a national healthcare corporation and the first Director of Health Planning for GA. He was Chairman of the Jasper County GA GOP. He's now Vice Chairman of a Board of Health in Fayette County, a suburb of Atlanta.