The State of Minnesota’s Care
Author
Thomas Wiest
CEO, Aspirience Home Care
Imagine your mother can no longer live safely at home alone. Of course, you — and she — will want to look at options. What are her care needs? Does she have memory loss? Will she need someone to help her get in and out of bed?
It’s a confusing time that I know many readers won’t have to imagine; I’ve already been down this road with my Mom.
Minnesota seniors’ long-term care options are at risk of drying up. A third of Minnesota’s care centers are at risk of closure, pressured by state-set payment rates that don’t come close to covering the real cost of care.
Research also shows that Minnesota does not have enough resources dedicated to home- and community-based services to meet the demands of an aging population.
Why the shortfall? Like other areas of state funding, long-term care providers suffered negligible or no increases when the state had a budget deficit. Those days are past, and it’s time to get back on track.
It makes absolute sense that the state is sponsoring and moving more and more towards home care needs; it’s more cost effective, it’s better for the morale of all involved because Mom stays in an environment that she recognizes and is comfortable with.
However, a cost-of-living increase for care centers as well as home- and community-based services is essential this year. It will help stabilize the long-term care system, provide money for better pay and benefits for caregivers and make sure Mom has the options she needs wherever she calls home.
It’s important to know, Aspirience Home Care can help you with home care when others cannot.