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The Duluth News Tribune in Duluth, Minnesota recently published an opinion article about the need for state government to devote more funding to efforts like home care near Fallbrook and elsewhere here in San Diego County. The call to action was written by two leaders in the Minnesota home care industry and draws attention to the fact that, while state lawmakers debate a stadium funding bill, a large population of seniors is quickly becoming needful of qualified, adequately paid caregivers.
An Important Alternative to Nursing Homes
A shift away from nursing home care and toward long term home care in Minnesota has created a demand for professional caregivers. According to the opinion article, the state needs to act in order to make sure the caregiving industry is attractive enough to build its base of workers. Currently, a wage freeze holds the typical salary for a home caregiver in that state at a level that does not lend itself to drawing new recruits.
Funding Strategies
The authors of the article do not limit themselves to empty pleas for action; rather, they suggest real initiatives that could boost the numbers of caregivers available to serve seniors. These include a “safety net” for seniors with low incomes which would enable them to afford the kind of private duty care that many California seniors enjoy. Another plan, which is on its way through the Minnesota legislature, would allow seniors to use life insurance benefits to pay for home care services.
Why Home Care Is Superior to Nursing Home Care
Minnesota’s shift in focus from nursing home to home care reflects a growing understanding across the nation that enabling seniors to remain in their own home is a compassionate, responsible choice. Elderly individuals who use professional home care in San Diego County and elsewhere enjoy familiar surroundings, the companionship of neighbors, and the comfort they have learned to love over many years.
