With a growing number of Americans reaching traditional retirement age, and people living longer, we are seeing a subtle but growing change in how people want to live their older years.
By itself, this growing population creates pressure on an already heavily tasked long-term healthcare system. However, adding to the complexity of this issue is that as baby boomers become seniors, one thing is certain. They are less inclined than their parents were to go to nursing homes or other senior care facilities.
It is becoming increasingly clear that this new older population wants to stay in their homes and their communities.
With this clear change on the horizon, states and the federal government are starting to look at how to allocate funding and resources to provide for those who choose to stay at home.
Some states are already wrestling with the changes. In California, for example, the state and its county governments are in a debate about how to administer In-Home Supportive, the country’s largest home healthcare program. Several other states are seeing themselves in the same position.
One thing is certain. This is a problem that will have to be addressed by all states. With a growing older population in Florida, we could find ourselves at the forefront of how to resolve this issue.