Because no one apparently is going to do it for us. Why can't there be a non profit organization who develops turnkey alternatives to nursing homes and assisted living based on the following model?
1. There are people who own homes who instead of having to give them up could donate them to this nonprofit and be giving lifetime tenancy in either their home or another more special needs home in exchange.
2. These homes (only those deemed suitable with reasonable modification) could be used to create a family, consisting of among required paid professional administrators, nurses, etc aides (which could also be experienced former caregivers in need of housing in exchange for providing care or who are providing services in kind to house their familly members there.
3. Others who need elder housing who don't own homes but can pay on a sliding scale toward living in these homes?
We all know the horror stories of being a caregiver whether we do it long distance, in our own homes, or supervise care being given by nursing homes or assisted living places, etc.
If we were in charge, wouldn't things be better? and wouldn't this solve some of our concerns about what's going to happen to us after years of caregiving sacrifice and many who have no children to "care" for them?
Any comments?
Another group doing this for those with mentally ill families is dave's house brainfoundationofflorida.org
eldermentor, i saw a story about the family homes for veterans on nbc nightly news., can;t find that one but found this story . when this site erases this link you can find it by searching the words happier vets lower costs stephanie simon wall street journal it is from 2010
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703909804575124451841717276.html
These are the kinds of ideas that need to be explored more and on a larger scale. At the very least, I feel more options need to be available for families who are willing to care for their own loved one in their home. What exactly is being done to financially assist the adult child who leaves his/her job to provide full time care for their parent in their home?
Susan, I agree. I know several coworkers who are dealing with this and we joke we should all buy a house and run our own facility. Some have their family member at home with them. One is paying (with LTC insurance that runs out after 4 years) for an assisted living at $5000 a month. Then what happens?