For all the tragedy that Covid-19 has wreaked on this nation, there are a few silver linings. COVID-19 has cast a spotlight on the failings of nursing homes and the need for more home and community-based services and more affordable services so that older and disabled adults can age in place. The New York Times reports that many people today do not have the option to remain in their homes as they age because it can be so costly.
People living in nursing homes and other adult care facilities during this pandemic have suffered mightily. As of now, about 181,000 have died. They represent one in three of all COVID-19 deaths, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
What can communities do to help people and keep them from having to be institutionalized? Fewer and fewer people would choose institutionalization if they could remain in their homes. In the last three months of 2020, one in four nursing home beds were unfilled.
Age-friendly communities offer a range of services to older people who need help caring for themselves. They might provide affordable age-friendly housing, good transportation and care services. Age-friendly housing generally provides living space on one floor without steps, walk-in showers, and hallways and doors that can accommodate wheelchairs.
In some cases, apartment buildings can offer an array of services beyond shelter, such as grocery stores and pharmacies. In that way, older adults can have several community essentials at their fingertips, without having to leave the building. This set-up could benefit a lot of older adults.
But, as people move into their 80’s and 90’s, they often need long-term care services as well. Medicare does not cover long-term care. At most, it covers 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, and that’s only if you’ve been hospitalized for at least three days prior to admission and need daily skilled services.
Medicaid covers long-term nursing home care. But, it often does not cover home and community-based care. A little more than half of its spending for long-term services and supports covers home and community-based care. More than 40 percent goes to nursing-home care.
What’s worse, even people who qualify for Medicaid might not get it. In many states, there’s a long Medicaid waitlist. Forty-one states limit Medicaid enrollment. Right now, 820,000 Americans are on a waiting list. On average, they wait more than three years. Fortunately, the American Rescue Act gives more money to states to expand Medicaid services. And, Biden’s new infrastructure proposal includes $400 billion more for home and community-based care.
Here’s more from Just Care:
