Family Caregivers Need More Support (MN. USA)

U.S. official says seniors' caregivers need more support

The new secretary for aging said "the country would go broke" if government had to pay for all the care seniors receive at home.

By WARREN WOLFE, Star Tribune

July 21, 2009

As recession-battered Americans grapple with lower economic expectations, government should refocus its spending to help frail aged people and their families avoid costly institutional care -- a move already begun in Minnesota -- the nation's top aging official said Tuesday in Minneapolis.

Fewer in nursing homes

In Minnesota, the share of government money spent for home and community-based services such as home-delivered meals and home health care has soared in 15 years, from 8 percent to 36 percent of the $1.1 billion budget, according to the state Department of Human Services.

At the same time, home-based services now assist 60 percent of the 41,000 older Minnesotans receiving long-term care -- a sign of how much cheaper it is to care for people at home.

About 80 percent of care for frail seniors is provided by families and friends, "and I want to expand the ways we help caregivers keep going," she said. "We can't afford not to support them. It's what we should do, and the country would go broke if the government had to pay for all that care."

Abridged

SOURCE: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Minneapolis,MN,USA

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Other governments, outside the US, should also take note. The situation is reflected in other countries, but many governments just pretend they are not aware of the fact, that family carers need their support.

Many of such governments, often boast of how much they have spent on Aged Care in dollars term but not revealing the percentage 0f what is actually recommended or needed. "Seen to be doing something in Aged Care" is NOT enough.

All Seniors Advocates should continue to tackle this issue with their own government.

................... AC

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