Advertisement

Community support needed to improve senior living

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

Pictured are Alesha Erdenberger, assistant administrator at Bluff Haven and LaBatisse, and Dr. Mark Grunwald, retired geriatric medicine doctor and current member of the board of directors for Community Health Services Corporation. (Photo by Rachel Mergen)

By Rachel Mergen

Finding a place to live is normally not the problem for senior citizens, according to Dr. Mark Grunwald, who is a local retired geriatric medicine doctor and current member of the board of directors for Community Health Services Corporation. Buildings are created regularly that include small, easily-accessible apartments for low rent that enable the elderly to live comfortably. The real problems facing senior citizens vary and can have ramifications on their futures.

A large number of senior citizens, approximately a third, in the United States, has been declared vulnerable. To be defined as so by the government, the person is unable to complete daily tasks, like bathing themselves and balancing their checkbook. These inabilities lead to a higher rate of accidents, leaving these men and women in need of government and citizen protection and support for years to come.

According to Grunwald, one issue at the federal level regarding vulnerable seniors is that price negotiations are not allowed with drug companies. This means drug companies can designate high prices, as they please, and government programs cannot get a lower price, even if they order in bulk from the suppliers.

Prairie Maison, for example, is a collaboration of assisted living, community-based residential facilities (CBRF) and retirement amenities.

Assisted living apartments permit seniors to get around on their own and call for help if needed. Assistance with some services like laundry and bathing, along with some meals, is offered. Twenty seniors can be served in assisted living at Prairie Maison.

CBRF, which also includes 20 units, allows for more advanced care of the residents, but many tasks are still performed by the seniors. It’s a place that enables more freedom.

Since a large portion of the American population does not have long-term heath insurance, nursing homes, like Prairie Maison, may require people to have a higher resident cost out of pocket.

Nursing homes are an interesting phenomenon in the United States, according to Alesha Erdenberger, assistant administrator at Bluff Haven Assisted Living and LaBatisse senior independent living. In some countries, they do not exist and are considered harsh. In these countries, loved ones and communities care for the elderly instead.

It is important for communities to take care of their elderly residents, according to Grunwald. To create a better system, members of society should first look to themselves to see what they can do. Then, they should ask their loved ones and neighbors for support. If neither option generates improvement, then government resources should be consulted.

“It is important to continue to promote community support,” Grunwald said.

Erdenberger mentioned, “The community needs to be more proactive.”

A lack of new employees to care for older generations is a critical issue also facing the senior living care industry. In Crawford County, the overall population has stayed at a consistent number, but the elderly population has begun to greatly outweigh those between ages 20 and 40. The high number of citizens over 65 is due to the aging of Baby Boomers.

Another issue Grunwald believes is concerning for seniors is how the current health care system and financial options, like Medicare, are only allowed to finance the best treatments, even though those treatments are often much more expensive and add little to life expectancy or quality of living.

Grunwald expects Medicare to eventually run out of funds, due, in large part, to politics within the system.

Government programs are limited on their abilities to make small improvements to seniors’ lives, which Grunwald refers to as “high touch, low-tech care” options. Sometimes, a life may be improved just by adding support bars within the house, to help avoid falls. Programs struggle to provide funds for such small items, though, which could keep senior citizens where they would rather be­—in their homes.

Education is a necessity for reforming the health care system, said Grunwald. Voters must take the time to educate themselves and make sure they know what the candidates are standing for during elections. They have to realize the population is aging and that this requires a large emphasis on health care for senior citizens.

“A lot of people fail to communicate with legislation,” Grunwald stated, to the agreement of Erdenberger. They noted that it is important to contact area government officials, so they are aware of what the rural communities truly want.

Recently, Grunwald has seen the effects higher-income citizens can have on government. Because they can afford more expensive treatments, they may not understand that sometimes a slightly better result isn’t as important as the cost is to those of a lower payscale.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Crawford County may be the best first option for anyone seeking information on senior living. If one’s savings reach below $10,000, Erdenberger recommends seniors call immediately, as senior living can be expensive. The ADRC will complete a care and financial assessment to decide the best options, such as assisted living or otherwise.

To prepare, families might wish to call health care providers, social workers and hospitals; do their research; and take a tour of facilities (considering friends living at the facility, comfort level, location and other aspects in addition to care).

Options for elderly, who are facing problems but wish to stay in their homes, also include in-home services. A health professional can come in to the home daily to help with regular chores and care.

“Prepare yourself and it will be less stressful when the time comes,” Grunwald stated. He hopes people will not wait until the problems occur.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet