Healthcare - the full story

[imoldernu]

This current WebMD article gives a wider view of the increasing costs of healthcare, and explores the mistakes that were made by the insurance companies that have led to the increases in cost.

http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/20160317/longterm-care-insurance-less-bang-more-buck?src=RSS_PUBLIC

And after you read about the rising costs, the next question might be, "What are my chances of going to live in a nursing home?" A recent article that answers the question:

http://nursinghomediaries.com/howmany/

... a term you might want to become familiar with:
"Adult congregate living facilities (ACLF)"
To see what facility rquirements are for your state...
http://www.assistedliving.com/laws-by-state/

For a parent or loved one who may need assisted living, this outlines the facility requirements. Good to know the legal responsibilities, and what to expect, re: medical care, staffing, eviction and other variants.

 

[Midpack]

Actually about long term care insurance, but spiraling healthcare costs are part of the problem with LTC insurance. Something's gotta give in healthcare, and it will, eventually - LTC insurance is another symptom...

 

[Options]

Here's the most important part of that second article:

Though science has advanced both our understanding of aging and the medicines for intervention, Americans continue to ignore that knowledge. They’re over-eating, over-weight, get too little exercise, and endure continued isolation brought on by the computer age. Remember, 75 percent of the factors that determine how someone will fare in later life are the result of lifestyle, not the aging process.

No kidding, of Americans 65 and older, 72 percent of men and 67 percent of women are overweight or obese (thats 3 out of 4). Baby boomers (45- to 64-year-olds) have the highest obesity rates of any age group – topping 35 percent in 17 states and 30 percent in 41 states.

Emphasis added

Report: Baby boomers have nation's highest obesity rate | Washington Examiner

I have no intention of ever entering a nursing home, whatever the reason. Given the outstanding state of my current health, I won't have to. I have alternatives in the event of an unforeseen accident as well. LTC and nursing homes are not inevitable.

 

[Souschef]

Scary Book

I am reading a book called "The Planner" by Alexandra Swann. It talks about the government building senior housing, and paying for it with a 35% tax on everyone's IRA. The reason is that SS is going to be bankrupt.
The buildings have no kitchens, so everyone eats in a dining hall with nutritionally balanced mostly vegan meals. Nobody has a car, and must rely on public transportation.
I know it is fiction, but there is enough facts in there to scare the heck out of me.

 

[Options]

Here's an insightful article on what it's like to live in a nursing home from someone who spent time working in one:

What working in a nursing home taught me about life, death, and America’s cultural values - Vox

There isn't one Big Truth about life that the patients in the nursing home told me that I can report back; it's a certain perspective, a combination of all the small things. Things like this, which a patient in her 80s told me while we were looking outside: "Valery, one day you will be my age, God willing, and you will sit here, where I sit now, and you will look out of the window, as I do now. And you want to do that without regret and envy; you want to just look out at the world outside and be okay with not being a part of it anymore."

 

[razztazz]

you want to just look out at the world outside and be okay with not being a part of it anymore."

I've sort of been in that place for going on 20 years now. I am in the world without having to be of the world