Quality Healthcare for Seniors

We believe that all seniors deserve access to quality healthcare at home, in assisted living and hospitals, and in retirement communities.

According to the U.S. Census, life expectancy in the U.S. declined for both men and women in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Men typically live to be nearly 73 years old, and women live to become at least 79 years old. Most Americans retire at age 65, meaning there is more than a decade left of life for an increasingly healthy, vibrant, and socially active senior population. Right now, that applies to the “Baby Boom” generation, which includes people aged 60 to 78 years.

The National Council on Aging provides data on the causes and consequences of poor health outcomes for seniors: “The leading causes of death among older adults in the U.S. are heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. In 2022, heart disease was the number one cause of death for all Americans, but especially those age 75+ (24.1%).”

The risk to many seniors is the unequal access to quality healthcare at home and in residential facilities. The costs associated with home care are actually more affordable than independent (or assisted) living facilities that can easily cost over $100k per year. The Federal government needs to provide better support systems to seniors who want to stay home, are fairly healthy, and can maintain a productive lifestyle with minimal assistance. For those seniors who are very advanced in age (90+), the Federal government should provide subsidies to adult children caretakers who can either care for their parents at-home or in facilities that may be more suitable for their needs, including memory and palliative care. 

Unfortunately, very few families prepare for the aging process, despite the fact that this is every bit as natural as welcoming the birth of new infants. Adult children must work with aging parents over 65 to ensure that all financial matters are clearly understood and that any health directives and wills are in order. 

A famous poet, Robert Browning (1812-1899), once wrote: “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be!” Those words from over a century ago, are as true now as they were then.