US News & World Report: What Care Options Are Available for Aging People on a Budget?

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An article from U.S. News & World Report addresses the question of what care is available in the community for older adults who are on a budget.

"Finding the right kind of nursing care option for yourself or a family member can be an emotionally fraught challenge, since such transitions typically deal with the realities of losing a measure of independence. For many people, the situation is complicated by a limited budget, and the reality is that the annual median cost for a semiprivate room in a nursing home is about $85,000, says Rani E. Snyder, program director at The John. A. Hartford Foundation."

It’s important to keep in mind that “people overwhelmingly prefer to age in place [at home],” Snyder says. "Some older people may need assistance with their daily lives but don’t require around-the-clock, professional care. These folks can consider building a network of trusted relatives and friends to act as caregivers by providing assistance with grocery shopping, preparing meals and arranging for transportation to medical appointments, she says." Adult day care are "facilities are for people who require enough assistance that it's not to their benefit to be home alone day after day."

An array of options, services and facilities, including informal caregivers, paid caregivers, adult day care, adult foster care, faith-based and community resources, and veteran benefits, are discussed in detail.


To read the article, click here.