Alternatives to Nursing Homes as Nursing Home Populations Swell With Younger Patients – Conclusion

Our current health care reform has several provisions to incentivize states to expand at home care, but there is still a strong “institutional bias” that requires states to fund nursing homes, but makes the payment of nurses for at home care optional.   Despite the savings, participation in  a new Federal pilot program that promotes at home health care is optional for states.

Another trend that has been found is that the population in nursing homes is changing to those who are either sicker, or more economically disadvantaged.   Those with the ability to pay, are moving to assisted living facilities.  Those who do not have as great a medical need (i.e. Healthier, but still in need of assistance) are also better served in more independent living facilities.  This new movement creates a nursing home population that is more disadvantaged both from a medical and a financial perspective.

NPR reports that “By federal law, people who face going into a nursing home must be told about alternatives. But in Miller's study in one state, nearly 30 percent of younger people in nursing homes said they weren't told about options. Often doctors and other health care providers just don't know what's available — and recommend a nursing home instead.”

Many times, when younger people chose to not to into a nursing home, it is at the expense of family members.  These family members provide care at no cost to the state.  While the state gets a free pass, the care giver family members can bear a huge burden in terms of  health, time and stress.

There are alternatives for many younger people to nursing home care.  With an experienced legal advocate by your side, you can also consider independent living facilities.  Many severely disabled people still live full and rich lives, not even in a facility, but with at home care.  It will frequently take an experienced attorney to protect your rights, and to help you determine what care is most appropriate for your situation.

 

We welcome hearing from you if you or a family member has special needs, and is looking for alternatives to nursing homes, or looking for ways to protect your family financially from the costs of long term care.

Call one of elder law attorneys at Cohen & Oalican, LLP Boston, Andover and Raynham.