Aging at home in Vermont

We have said this repeatedly on this blog,

...the aging boomers are coming...

and there aren’t enough nursing homes to house them. Aging-in-place would require caregivers --- professional or family--- to help take care of the seniors. Unfortunately, many can’t afford private home aides. And asking family members to take on caregiving responsibilities is an added strain--- especially for those who work full time (and have to work full time in order to sustain themselves). However, a new program in Vermont, “Choices for Care”, received “federal approval to offer home care as an option equal to nursing-home care under Medicaid.” Under this program, seniors can elect to stay at home and have a family member care for them. For this service, the family member receives a wage of approx. $9.75/hr.

This program is great considering we need to be proactive in getting seniors to age-in-place in their own homes. Again, there will not be enough nursing homes to house all the aging baby boomers. In addition, it is cheaper for Medicaid to pay family members to be caregivers than it is for them to pay nursing homes.

Next, Medicaid should extend this program to pay authorized friends (perhaps friends who have power of attorney) for their caregiving duties. The article in the NY Times, Seniors in Vermont Are Finding They Can Go Home Again, showcased the story of an elderly lady who had no surviving family member--- except a daughter in law who herself is elderly—and consequently had to remain in a nursing home. There will be many cases similar to this one as the Boomers age.