…a lot of conversations are tough to have, but it’s vital that we do have them. So we’re hoping to create empathy, educate, and just open up dialogue.”
A major problem associated with poor planning for long term care is high costs. More often than not, Medicare and Medicaid do not provide full coverage for these costs. According to a 2012 MetLife Market Survey of nursing home, assisted living, adult day services, and home care costs, nursing care can cost over $90,000 annually, assisted living over $42,000. The average cost of home health aide services are estimated at $21,000 annually. Bassett reveals how this affects the African American community. “In our community sometimes we move in with our parents, and move them into our homes and take care of them,” she said. “But even in that situation, where you have unpaid care they’ve found that you still end up paying on an average $8,000 to cover costs that aren’t covered by other means. So it’s just something that you have to have dialogue about and consider so that your parents, your lifestyle, and your expectations meet your financial reality.” The sooner you have an idea of how much money you would need to cover a loved one’s expenses, the sooner you can save up.
But Angela reminds us of the most important thing in an interview with Healthline:“You have to allow them to age in a way that they want to,” Bassett said in an interview with Healthline. “You let them lead.” Bassett advocates talking with loved ones instead of making plans for them.”
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