Blog Post: Saving Adult Healthcare Centers

I never imagined myself being sixty years old. I doubt that the Rolling Stones would have thought they'd still be recording and touring when they were in their mid to late sixties either, but it happens. I don't know how my remaining years will play out but there are many possible scenarios out there and not all of them are desirable. I'd like to think that when I finally pass on at age 105 my personal caretaker will be so upset that she'll have to drop out of college! Fantasies aside, I'd like to think that I will always have a place where I can be cared for, valued and let my mind stay active.

In California, some people have families or incomes that will insure a quality life right to the end. Sadly, there are thousands who do not have that option. That is why we have Adult Healthcare facilities available. Up until this week, the state was going to pull funding from these facilities, leaving many low income seniors at a loss for having their basic needs met. That would have been tragic. Thanks to a reprieve, the state has decided to continue funding to sustain these facilities for a while longer.

"The state, which faces a $3.7-billion revenue shortfall, had targeted the centers as part of a plan to reduce spending on Medi-Cal, the government health program for the poor and disabled. Adult day health-care centers provide nursing care, occupational therapy, physical therapy, meals and exercise to people with serious disabilities, brain injuries and chronic illnesses."

This current reprieve will only last until Feb.29, 2012, but there will be an alternate program available to these people at that time and that seems like the right and humane thing to do.

There are many cultures, religions and families who have the innate instinct to "take care of their own". It has not been unusual to see grandparents being taken care of by their families and being revered and respected in the process, but that's not always the case. My grandfather on my Dad's side of the family had a degenerative muscle disease and lived at an unlicensed nursing home in one room for the last twenty years of his life. He had no TV, did not read and could only lay in bed. It was incredibly depressing; even to a child (which I was at the time).

I like to think that in a country that has such a wealth of riches and potential that we will always assign value to our older generation. It bodes well for our legacy and our sense of personal fulfillment that we give those who gave so much to us a chance to have a quality life in their senior years. Too many older people have families that gave up on them, left them or just don't want to take on that extra responsibility that is required. America shouldn't allow these people to be forgotten or lost in the cracks of bureaucratic paperwork.

I recognize that our state is in crisis mode as far as budgets go. But personally, I feel that children and seniors should be given the first priority in those who receive aid. For those who might think such priorities are not as important as others, I simply hope that in your twilight years you will not need the help these adult health-care  centers provide, only to find that they are no longer there.

To read Anna Gorman's article in the Nov. 18 Los Angeles Times article, go to: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-me-adult-daycare-20111118,0,3138702.story