This is going to sound very insulting and I don't hate the elderly as someday I would be one, but, to put unnecessary burden on my children is not the plan I see for my life. Providing 'Home Care' for every aging American is unattainable and will bankrupt Medicare very quickly.
The Amendment to the Senate Health Care Bill has an abbreviation called "Class Act." I don't believe it is a 'class act,' I think it is elitist. The idea behind our new health care reform measure is to make American healthier at every age. I don't like the idea of warehousing human beings and that is why many years ago there was legislation that strongly regulated extended care facilities and focused on quality of life. It is those regulations we need to review for bolstering and it our society's priorities in wellness at all ages we need to address.
This is the United States of American, NOT the Waldorf Towers. We are primarily Middle Class folks OR at least should be and there is every indication the direction of the country under the leadership of President Obama and the majority Democrats are putting us back on a sustainable Middle Class path. I really wish we all weren't trying to be millionaires or billionaires, I find it quite disgusting actually. It sets us up for immoral values that ultimately deprives others of their quality of life in some socio-economic levels.
I am not saying those that have accumulated wealth should rid themselves of it, this is the country of opportunity and if their good fortune has brought them opportunity then it should be so. But, a strong Middle Class is the pride of the USA and it needs to maintain that value to insure the productivity of our country. There is a lot of pride to working a job and doing it right. There is a lot of pride to being part of a union that produces good products. It is true 'Amerikana' I am referring to.
A strong Middle Class IS the place where opportunity happens. It is the 'step' that is attainable for the poor. It is the place where possibility occurs and it is the place where small businesses find growth and opportunity. It is where the illiterate find education and opportunity. It is where every child is an equal. A strong Middle Class builds the wealth of this nation in a collective way that supplies our Federal and State governments and sustains our military. It is important and should be a place of pride to this country.
It is the health of the Middle Class that our National Health Care Reform Legislation is putting priority. It is ironing out the rough spots, bringing equity to the people that corporate CEOs have no interest in treating equal and it is addressing 'what is possible' and 'what is not.'The best idea that can come from this reform measure for 'aging' citizens is to stay healthy. Stay active. Stay involved. We know it is where the best quality of life occurs and it is where all Americans should strive to be. Being wheelchair bound should be avoided at any measure and for those that are, they might say how wonderful it would be to walk again.
We are coming into the age of 'The Baby Boomers.' There is no way this country can put a home health care professional at the bedside of every American as they become disabled or home bound. It is not possible. It is far better, as well, for people to be communal in settings where they have privacy and yet have interaction.
A recent experience with an aunt proved how much she needed to be cared for in a facility that provided her dignity for being able to manage and not be a burden to her family.
If I may?
She was married and a career woman for most of her life. She took a trip abroad about ten years ago and over a short period of time found herself ill with diagnosis after diagnosis. She deteriorated, became wheelchair and oxygen dependant. She lived at home with her husband, a retired State Policeman. He passed away at the age of 81. We loved him and her dearly and she still is a joy to all of us.
She lived in the house where she married and brought home her children. The backyard has a gate that lead to the home of her oldest daughter, married with children. One would think it the prefect 'set up' for aging parents. Right?
Two days after her husband was buried she called her children to her kitchen where they all enjoyed a meal together. A son, the oldest of the three and two daughters all brought 'pot luck' while the in-laws were home with the grandchildren that still might be living at home. Mind you, the oldest daughter frequented the house during the day and was sure her mother was doing well.
My aunt broke the news. She wanted to live in a facility where she could be alone and cared for by people that would see to her illness as well as her happiness. Her children, of course, fussed a bit, but reliquished control to her request. Within three days, her children toured several facilities nearby, brought all the information to her and when they decided on two, the staff social worker scame to see her at her home. She made the final decision.
Everyday she wakes to caregivers that assist her with her daily routine. She is seen when she needs to be seen by physicians or their assitants and she has medications brought to her regularly. The house is still there and furnished. I suspect it will be that way for a good long while. But, my aunt is happy. She telephones her siblings and those she call friends and she is visited frequently.
The point is that she feels pride in being able to have privacy while being cared for. She states her health is better and she never has any issues with her care that isn't addressed within short periods of time. She doesn't miss her family in the way most might think. She has 'her world' of her making and she allows them in to be family with no burdens and rare complaints.
It is basically a happy ending, except, we would love for her not to be ill at all. But, given her priorities in life and seeking privacy it provides a point of underastanding to be able to have a place in this country, with her family and feel she is important to many people that touch her life everyday.
The future of this country depends on 'fiscal stability' and strong, health people. It depends on caregiving that works for everyone and not just those that can afford it. Wheelchairs need to become obsolete and not because we as a country can't provide them, but, because they simply aren't necessary.
We have worked hard to stop people from smoking, drinking too much and now we need to fight the legacy of indulgence in food and 'being a couch potato' for an economy within reach of a telephone or 'net connection.' We need to return to activity and wellness and seek to live a high quality of life for as long as we can.
If the greatest country in the world can't achieve the highest standard of living for its people then we are making the worst statement about democracy we can make.
Democracy is not about indulgence. It is about living long and happy and healthy with dignity and self determination.
We need to be that country. Seeking indulgences of elitist priorities isn't what the USA is about and I feel we have been on the right and best path for a long time, we need to continue.
