But more importantly, what type of nursing homes, alternative living arrangements and home care options will be there "when it's your time"?

The face of healthcare is changing on a day to day, moment to moment basis everywhere. Much of the driving force is money, the bottom line.  The financing options available can include savings and personal assets, health insurance, state or federal funding.

Home care and alternative livings options are CHEAPER in the long run.  BUT, these are not always covered by outside funding.

Adult daycare centers are springing up around the world, allowing a spouse or children to do what they need to do on a daily basis whether it's work, school or just a break from the task of caregiving.

Home care does take it's toll on the caregiver. There is no real escape.  For many people for a variety reasons, there is no other choice or option available.  Hopefully, there is an extensive support system such as extended family, a church or religious organization or even some very good friends.

Adult family homes can offer a home like setting, with a smaller staff to resident ratio, these however are coming increasingly under siege from requirements imposed upon them. That is not to say that they should not be regulated and independently screened, they should!  However many of the new regulations are expensive and time consuming- something the small independent homes struggle to meet.

I hope to make this an ongoing feature of these pages, so until next time...

Debbie

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