A SENIOR CRISIS REALITY ARE WE DOING ENOUGH? -By Judith Balfe
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ging is not something most of us want to do. It is inevitable, of course, and most people make plans for retirement. We take care of our health, save our money, and after that we just hope for the best. Once upon a time in America, getting old was much simpler. Doctors were affordable, one might even barter for their services; medicines were limited, but affordable. For a great part of our history, we were an agricultural society, so food was not usually a problem, and extended families were very common. Sometimes three generations lived together in one dwelling, and there were always people around to help out when needed. People didn’t move around as much; many died within a few miles of where they were born. Getting old wasn’t something to look forward to, but it was an accepted part of life, and not particularly frightening. Things have changed over the years and not for the better. Many of today’s seniors face the prospect of old age with fear and trepidation. People work far past the retirement age in some cases, not because they want to, but they find they have no choice. Seniors have the same basic needs that everyone hopes for; safe housing, health care, food, and peace of mind. Simple basic needs, so why do they find attaining them so difficult? First, let’s look at the larger cities, for instance, New York City. Housing costs are exorbitant, both renting and buying. Many neighborhoods are no longer considered safe, especially for the elderly. There is also the problem of proximity to transportation, health care and shopping. Areas in Brooklyn, for instance, and Harlem, have become “gentrified”, and have driven the long-time residents out. Housing
projects are notorious for poor maintenance and high crime statistics. People in suburban areas may not fare better, because housing is expensive, rents are out of control. It is not always easy to get help from programs such as Section Eight, and in many of the more desirable Senior Citizen Complexes there is a long waiting list. When renting, there may be restrictions on how many people live in the dwelling, so sharing with family members isn’t always possible. Even renting a furnished room is costly and may provide only the bare necessities for cooking and bathing. Which brings us to one of the other basic needs, food. Why is food a problem for seniors? Well, there’s sometimes the proximity of places to shop; the carrying of the goods, and the actual physical condition of the shopper. Next, and just as important, is paying for the food. Food prices are high, especially for healthier food, such as good produce, chicken and fish. Lean cuts of beef and pork are also high, and dairy isn’t inexpensive. Told to “eat healthy”, how does one do that with little money and no outlet to healthy choices? Most recipients of Social Security pay something out of that check for Medicare, Parts A and B. What’s left needs to cover, in most cases, food, rent, medical insurance, car, home, renters or life. In order to qualify for Section Eight, food, medicine, utilities, transportation; some people have health care supplement, and food stamps or extra help with medical costs, such as Medicaid, one must have an unbelievably low income. Those who own their own homes may also have mortgage payments, and taxes general
ly go up, not down. For them there is also the cost of maintaining the home, and many seniors can no longer perform many of the tasks that they once were able to do. Finally, there is the healthcare situation. Medicare provides about 80% of the costs of healthcare services, but given how expensive those services are, even the co-pays, and the remaining 20% of costs, can totally wipe out any savings, and can certainly land one in deep debt. For instance, take a diabetic patient; one should go to their primary care or specialist once every three months, as well as the ophthalmologist and podiatrist. That’s sixteen copays right there. One senior goes to the podiatrist, is tested for neuropathy, has her toe nails cut; about a 15 minutes procedure, but her health care center charges her insurance provider $415 for the service each time; her co-pay is $15. Co-pays for medicine can vary, and using generic brands can help keep costs down, but the overall price of medicines in this country are exorbitant, with no help in sight. Old age brings on a variety of disease and health needs; at a time when our funds are limited we are most needful of health services and medicines, when we can least afford them. We all know people who have to skip either a medicine or a few meals from time to time due to lack of funds. A very important part of health for the aging population has to do with mental health. There are age-related illnesses that are mostly connected to the aging mind, but depression also plays a big part in maintaining good health.
bigapplehealthne.com November 2019
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