OMG, congratulations and yay for podcast and also...this topic is seriously the story of my caregiving role for the last four years. I have, unfortunately, become something of an expert. In all states this is a brutal situation. In New York State this became even more complicated after Gov Hochul chose a company in Georgia to manage the bureaucracy of Medicaid, which requires that the patient has limited resources. Medicare is also a beast. You can't get a home health aid unless the person has had a hospital stay and is considered to be recovering at home. Lucky families can hire a consultant to advise them...but most families cannot do this and many aides don't want to be paid this way. It is so bad that people who worked hard cannot get support easily when they reach old age. I cannot count the hours I have spent on phone calls trying to wrangle all this.
Thanks, Irwin, and I hate to play favorites, but I’m going to call it: You’re my favorite commenter. You always make me laugh. Thank you! And thanks for the kind words about my mom. The home health aides situation is a shit-show, and you-know-who could not care less.
Thrilled to hear this news about the podcast, Sari! As far as caregiving and elder care...would love to have more coverage of those topics. People need help.
I read this morning that for the first time since 1935, more people moved out of the US than moved in. The implications are huge: a greatly reduced workforce, especially in agriculture and healthcare. A rapidly aging boomer population is living longer than any previous generation. A lack of suitable housing options for said aging populations (construction is also slowed because of deportation). Social security, funded by younger workers, will be significantly affected. What political parties are talking about these issues? The simple government solution is to simply develop a robust immigration program - not gonna happen under this regime. The next best solution is to join the millions of older people relocating to more compassionate countries.
Great news! Have a listen to the “CBC Listen” app of podcasts for interesting, informed, polite interviewers on any number of topics. I especially like the book review programs. 🇨🇦
When my husband was dying, we were assigned a visiting nurse who was incredibly useless and horrifyingly hostile. She was hours late every time, never bothered to tell us she was running way late, did nothing helpful, and radiated that she hated our guts. I was an idiot not to complain to the entity that sent her to use. Literally all she did was take his vitals, which served no purpose whatsoever.
A podcast! Wow! That's so exciting. I'm not much for podcasts, but I can tell how excited you are, and it's very important that folks get Oldster content in whatever delivery method is best for them.
A podcast! Oh hellz yes. And since you asked about favorites, you (and Brian, certainly!) know about "A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs," right? And a close 2nd is Tyler Mahan Coe's "Cocaine and Rhinestones." And re: home health care, I'm just going to think about music podcasts so that I don't fly into a rage. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this.
Congrats on yr upcoming podcast. Do you know you can either host or upload your videos (maybe also audio only if yr not doing video) HERE ON SUBSTACK? I have a cohosted monthy podcast here on my stack. It’s easy peasy. Im happy to tell you more if you want - dm me.
Congrats on the Podcast! Will be listening, for sure. Even though I am only 65, and have not had to deal with parents and their care (they were long gone) I have worked in the senior care-adjacent world for 15 years. I mainly helped people find home care and assisted living, via multiple companies, not physically offering care myself. What I can tell you- I'm in the LA area and it certainly seems to translate to every other major city- is that it's the cost of living. Many people, men and women of all ages- would like to be caregivers, but they simply cannot afford to be on call in the medicaid/medical (medicaid system in CA) for such a low rate. They can't do it. It's a huge, huge problem. I have friends who have tried to operate caregiving franchises, which are not on the medicaid system, it's private pay- but it's still brutal. You cannot pay people 15-18 per hour and have them live within an hour of a major city. They can't continue. It's a huge, labrynthian problem.
The nurse saying 'you need this, but you won't get it' before she's even finished her assessment describes the wholeeee system. In Germany the care gap looks different on paper, we have insurance structures, but the lived experience for families is often the same. The bureaucracy absorbs the time that should go to the person. So glad your mum is recovering.🤍
OMG, congratulations and yay for podcast and also...this topic is seriously the story of my caregiving role for the last four years. I have, unfortunately, become something of an expert. In all states this is a brutal situation. In New York State this became even more complicated after Gov Hochul chose a company in Georgia to manage the bureaucracy of Medicaid, which requires that the patient has limited resources. Medicare is also a beast. You can't get a home health aid unless the person has had a hospital stay and is considered to be recovering at home. Lucky families can hire a consultant to advise them...but most families cannot do this and many aides don't want to be paid this way. It is so bad that people who worked hard cannot get support easily when they reach old age. I cannot count the hours I have spent on phone calls trying to wrangle all this.
Thank you, Julie. And I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through with this. My limited experience (so far) has been eye-opening and demoralizing.
Good news/ bad news. It’s why President Truman called for a one-handed economic advisor. It was always, on the one hand or the other.
At least we finally know why you married Brian.
Fantastic news about the podcast but please keep the writing flowing.
Great news about your Mom’s recovery. Her outfit and her smile says it all. Love the shoes.
The life and plights of home health aides is another long story. Everyone suffers. Aides, patients and families.
Does Donald give a shit? There’s no ambiguity in that.
Thanks, Irwin, and I hate to play favorites, but I’m going to call it: You’re my favorite commenter. You always make me laugh. Thank you! And thanks for the kind words about my mom. The home health aides situation is a shit-show, and you-know-who could not care less.
Thrilled to hear this news about the podcast, Sari! As far as caregiving and elder care...would love to have more coverage of those topics. People need help.
Thank you, Sejal. And you’re right!
I read this morning that for the first time since 1935, more people moved out of the US than moved in. The implications are huge: a greatly reduced workforce, especially in agriculture and healthcare. A rapidly aging boomer population is living longer than any previous generation. A lack of suitable housing options for said aging populations (construction is also slowed because of deportation). Social security, funded by younger workers, will be significantly affected. What political parties are talking about these issues? The simple government solution is to simply develop a robust immigration program - not gonna happen under this regime. The next best solution is to join the millions of older people relocating to more compassionate countries.
Great news! Have a listen to the “CBC Listen” app of podcasts for interesting, informed, polite interviewers on any number of topics. I especially like the book review programs. 🇨🇦
Thanks for the recommendation!
Always welcome, Sari🇨🇦
Great news on all fronts🙌🏼
<3
Wow congratulations! So much happening. Without sounding too big for my britches I would love to come on.
great news, congrats.
Thank you!
When my husband was dying, we were assigned a visiting nurse who was incredibly useless and horrifyingly hostile. She was hours late every time, never bothered to tell us she was running way late, did nothing helpful, and radiated that she hated our guts. I was an idiot not to complain to the entity that sent her to use. Literally all she did was take his vitals, which served no purpose whatsoever.
A podcast! Wow! That's so exciting. I'm not much for podcasts, but I can tell how excited you are, and it's very important that folks get Oldster content in whatever delivery method is best for them.
Thanks, Felicity!
A podcast! Oh hellz yes. And since you asked about favorites, you (and Brian, certainly!) know about "A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs," right? And a close 2nd is Tyler Mahan Coe's "Cocaine and Rhinestones." And re: home health care, I'm just going to think about music podcasts so that I don't fly into a rage. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this.
Yes, I’ve heard of those! Thank you.
Congrats on yr upcoming podcast. Do you know you can either host or upload your videos (maybe also audio only if yr not doing video) HERE ON SUBSTACK? I have a cohosted monthy podcast here on my stack. It’s easy peasy. Im happy to tell you more if you want - dm me.
Thanks, Robin! Yes, I do know that. I’m trying to diversify platforms…
Congrats on the Podcast! Will be listening, for sure. Even though I am only 65, and have not had to deal with parents and their care (they were long gone) I have worked in the senior care-adjacent world for 15 years. I mainly helped people find home care and assisted living, via multiple companies, not physically offering care myself. What I can tell you- I'm in the LA area and it certainly seems to translate to every other major city- is that it's the cost of living. Many people, men and women of all ages- would like to be caregivers, but they simply cannot afford to be on call in the medicaid/medical (medicaid system in CA) for such a low rate. They can't do it. It's a huge, huge problem. I have friends who have tried to operate caregiving franchises, which are not on the medicaid system, it's private pay- but it's still brutal. You cannot pay people 15-18 per hour and have them live within an hour of a major city. They can't continue. It's a huge, labrynthian problem.
The nurse saying 'you need this, but you won't get it' before she's even finished her assessment describes the wholeeee system. In Germany the care gap looks different on paper, we have insurance structures, but the lived experience for families is often the same. The bureaucracy absorbs the time that should go to the person. So glad your mum is recovering.🤍
ILL-ADVISED by Bill Nighy
It's the only podcast I always listen to. Each and everyone (oh joy)
Sounds like a fun one...
Appreciate the rec!
WOO HOO! on the podcast. And UGH on the caregivers.
😘