Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Almost HALF of California's Seniors Are Struggling....


At some point while we discuss Housing Issues, and the Healthcare Crisis we need to talk about OUR Elderly in this country. I work at a market part time ( just one job) , there is Nothing Sadder than watching them pay for their food with Change or buying catfood ( and they have no cat)....It is heartbreaking and disturbing. What Kind of Modern Country ignores the Plight of their Elderly....One would think with so many Baby Boomers on the Verge that this issue would get more attention....

5 comments:

MandT said...

I've eaten pet food before (canned dog food). It tastes just like Dinty Moore beef stew. Ya do what ya got to to survive, and it never gets out of the system---that fear of fragility in facing powerful want. A good spiritual practice helps----so does sharing that food with a needy friend. namaste MandT

enigma4ever said...

I have gone to food banks before...and also pawned jewlery for food....so yeah...we all do what we can...it is a fact..it happens...and yeah- I don;t actually know anyone that eats three meals a day..seriously....

but I worry about older folks...I really do...and they should not be living like that...it's wrong...choosing between food and meds...

I always take extra change with me to work...and not a nite goes by that someone does not need it....

but you are right...we need to create a more sharing environment....esp a meal...

Annette said...

That's what pissed me off about that jerk Santelli the other day.. His rant was such a scripted response and so much of it was a typical republican talking point. Only out for myself and no one else.

That's what makes me angry about this situation.. no one wants to help anyone.. it's all about me me me... we have forgotten what it is to help our neighbor ..

enigma4ever said...

we must take care of our neighbors....and SOME have forgotten HOW to do that...for sure..

Fran said...

My Mom, age 83 has Medicare and private health insurance. Neither of them cover ANY dental costs, and as people get older, their dental needs usually become greater, as the teeth bones wear & age.
Even with the prescription plan, she pays $500 out of pocket for meds- each month.
That's $6000 bucks a year.

So for me, the pharmaceutical companies are a big culprit in gouging elders for meds. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the pharmacy & while waiting in line have someone say... Call my Doctor back & have them prescribe me something else-- I can't afford this medicine.

If someone is taking heart or blood pressure meds,
or other meds for any other serious health condition, is not like it's optional.

In fact sometimes my Mom would decide she's sick of taking so many meds & stop or not take it as prescribed & wind up taking an ambulance to the ER with irregular heartbeat or something.

She lives in a care facility now, which is outrageous, you'd think $7,000 bucks a month (secure memory care facility), would include laundry services. Nope.
They charge by the pound for an outsourced company to do laundry.

Not only that, she is having to fork out money for taxes & heat for the house she has not lived in- it will be 3 years in March. Her house is surrounded by a neighborhood full of foreclosed homes. They are on the market for bargain basement pricing, taking the whole market down with them.

Even care facility companies are beginning to default on their loans & going into bankruptcy & foreclosure.... a whole wave of that is starting to
happen. What happens to those elders then???