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Lockit -> RE: More young people winding up in nursing homes... (1/8/2011 10:31:57 AM)
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I read the article on this last night and find it seriously lacking. Maybe I am coming from a different perspective though. Four years ago, I had to learn many things the hard way when my son was brain damaged. Although some state laws can effect this and many medical issues with varying situations, I found a very backwards system. Surprise, surprise!
Of course in my son's case, things were different because I always planned on taking care of him, much to the hospitals dismay, but I did a lot of research into a number of things and found a horrific situation that was only going to get worse considering how many young people are being injured. Breath play, suicide attempts, gang warfare, people being violent and trying to act out all the stupid things that include some of what it shown on shows like 'Jackass'. Then we have vets coming home from war with many head injuries, etc.
There really aren't places for these young people. I kept claiming it was time to get some places for them, but of course was ignored. I kept saying that those on federal funds for care typically had to be in nursing care because of program requirements. For instance, I was told that we couldn't get certain funds for care for my son if we were taking care of him at home. I wasn't allowed help with my son if I cared for him. I could get a total of one weeks assistance if I put my son in a nursing home, per year. I couldn't get household assistance or anyone paid to help me care for him. Which meant no breaks for me unless I had someone willing to do it for free or could afford it myself. That creates a situation where those willing to take care of loved ones and bringing home a loved one wasn't encouraged and was in fact discouraged. Most found the situations too overwhelming, too impossible to imagine and gave up before they even got started.
The system is forcing people into nursing care with the way it works or how I view it, doesn't work. It isn't about people and their well being or happiness, but the bottom line... money and jobs for those in the system.
Even in information and support systems outside the nursing homes, hospitals and with all we have online, there are serious lacks for those that wish to care for a loved one.
I imagine that nothing will be done because it doesn't fit guidelines for one program or another, is a big money business and it won't be changed until people stand up and fight to change it. When you are so overwhelmed with all one must do to survive in life, add a major crisis and emotional challenge... most don't have the time, energy or money to fight anything but staying alive.
I was very afraid that my son would end up in a nursing home and with him being so young, that was a horrific thought to me for many reasons, but we have gotten very lucky and my daughter married a man that got to know my son and now doesn't see him as a threat to their lives and happiness and C won't have to go to a nursing home when my time here is finished. It breaks my heart that so many will not have this. I wanted to say... bring that young man in the story to my house, I will take care of him... but my heart is bigger than my ability to give. I am tired as it is and have little life of my own.
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