(Snippets from the frontline)
Looming on the horizon
Older adults have always feared being forced into nursing homes. Now their greatest fear is homelessness.
I have provided housecalls to patients in my community for 30 years, and sense the pulse of their worries everyday. The cost of living has increased markedly, yet their retirement income mostly from social security has barely risen.
Rent in California is increasing exponentially, and will follow suit in other parts of the country. Inability to pay property tax has led to loss of homes, and planned savings have dried up because of overwhelming out-of-pocket expenses (nickel and dimed by Medicare, hospitals, drug and insurance companies).
The American Dream has become a nightmare, and casts a dark shadow of fear for many older adults. Healthcare is in shambles, and should be on the forefront of discussion in every community.
Left unchecked, their fear of homelessness will become reality and engulf our seniors, while looming on the horizon for our children and grandchildren.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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