A headline from a recent
Dallas Morning News story by Bob Moos says it all: "Moving toward Home Care: Shift away from institutions is cheaper, popular and taking a long time to execute." In a look at long-term care issues in Texas, Moos cited a number of compelling facts. He quotes Amanda McCloskey, advocacy manager for AARP in Texas, "Home care costs Medicaid just half of what nursing home care does - $1,318 vs. $2,570 per month - and it's what most people prefer."
Moos notes that, "An AARP survey of people 50 and older found that 73 percent preferred receiving care in their homes. Only 6 percent favored nursing homes. Yet the current system favors institutional care." The article said that end of last year, the waiting list for the community-based alternatives program in Texas had grown to 46,556, with an average wait of 17 months.
No comments:
Post a Comment