America is facing a growing crisis in senior care as our population ages and life expectancy increases. The cost of senior care is high, there are staff shortages, and programs like Medicaid are struggling to keep up. The Harris-Walz campaign has promised to invest in home care services for seniors, but details on how this will be achieved are lacking.
Studies show that many Americans are not prepared for the high costs of senior care, with few saving enough to cover future expenses. Medicaid is available for those who can’t afford care, but it requires individuals to spend down their assets, leaving them with little to pass on.
Home care offers a more affordable and preferred option for many seniors to age in place. However, funding for senior care needs to be addressed to empower individuals to plan for their financial future. Long term care insurance is a good concept, but the market needs fixing to make it accessible to more Americans.
Staffing is another issue in the senior care industry, with many workers coming from abroad. Creative reforms to immigration policies could help address the growing staffing requirements in the industry. Technology can also play a role in improving senior care, but it should be used in conjunction with smart policies to ensure it enhances person-to-person care.
Regardless of who wins in November, addressing the challenges in America’s senior care industry will require difficult choices. Targeting policies to areas most in need will be crucial in ensuring seniors can live with dignity. Brandon se graduó de la Universidad de Texas en Austin con títulos en ciencias de la computación y matemáticas. Abandonó el programa de doctorado en la Universidad de Washington con el grado de maestría consolatoria. Este mensaje aparece a través del programa MedCity Influencers. Cualquier persona puede publicar su perspectiva sobre negocios e innovación en salud en MedCity News a través de MedCity Influencers. Haz clic aquí para averiguar cómo.