'An unprecedented crisis' for Texas nursing homes

[onestepforward]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7457803.html

Texas nursing home leaders are concerned about how they will care for the frail and elderly if lawmakers carry out plans to drastically reduce the state Medicaid budget.

Deep cuts would gut many nursing homes, forcing them to pare back services, reduce staff or even close, administrators said. A majority of the state's nursing home residents depend on Medicaid for long-term care.

"This is an unprecedented crisis we are facing in the state," said George Linial, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Medicaid is a state-federal funded program that provides health care assistance for children, pregnant women, disabled and elderly people. Senate and House budget proposals call for a 10 percent reduction in Medicaid spending to help close a budget shortfall, but the loss totals 33 percent when the loss of federal matching funds from the stimulus package is factored in, the association said. The stimulus funding runs out in June and won't be replaced.

Based on a survey to determine how dependent nursing homes are on Medicaid, the association estimates that 80 percent of the state's 1,054 nursing homes would close and more than 60,000 residents would lose care if Medicaid funds dropped by 30 percent. In the Houston-Galveston area, 65 out of 76 facilities would close and more than 7,000 elderly would lose care, the association said.

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These are Texans that can no longer care for themselves and their family can no longer care for them. 60,000 elderly without care? What happens to these folks?

[FloriTexan]

1. Family. If there is any...

My MIL moved in with us this last year. My husband's been unemployed, now a 99'er so in that respect we're lucky that he has been here to care for her. She can't be left on her own anymore. It appears likely that this may prevent him from taking a job when he finds one. One day at a time. If he gets a job we may have to use his salary to pay for someone to come sit with her so is it even worth it to get a job if he can do it instead. I guess it will depend on the salary he would get. I can't even imagine what would happen to those folks who have no family that can take them in. A lot of people will all of a sudden find themselves caregivers. They will probably cut home health care as well and I can't add her to my wok health insurance policies.

[luvspeas]

2. I've had to deal with this very same thing...

It's so hard, and you are such good people for being there for your family. Like you said, one day at a time, and hang in there.

[onestepforward]

3. I've been there too.

I took care of my Mom for 18 years and had to give up my career (and much more) until I could no longer do it. I understand how difficult it is.

Nursing homes are usually last resort thus they are critical. Many elderly may not have any family to care for them. Something has to be done.

Hugs for you and your husband. I hope that the cuts can be minimized somehow.

[sonias]

4. "60,000 residents would lose care"

Staggering and frightening.

What happens to these folks, you ask. They are sent to their families perhaps to die. So many of them need round the clock care and families may not be able to provide that.

You remember latch key kids, kids that came home after school to be by themselves since both of their parents were working.

There will be a similar situation with latch key grandma and grandpa. No one at home to look after them since the grown kids now responsible for their care have to work.

It really is a very sad situation. :cry:

[plumbob]

5. Words fail.

There's a huge karmic debt building up somewhere.