Two Studies Released

MetLife Mature Market Institute released its 2009 "Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services and Home Care Costs" and its “Long-Term Care IQ: Removing Myths, Reinforcing Realities” report. According to the press release, the survey indicates the public is not knowledgeable about long term care and many misconceptions endure.
This survey of nursing homes, conducted in conjunction with LifePlans, Inc., contains daily private-pay rates for private and semi-private rooms in licensed nursing homes, monthly base rates for assisted living communities, hourly rates for home health aides from licensed agencies and agency-provided homemaker companion services, and daily rates for adult day services across the United States.

Nursing's Hidden Blessings!

One in five Americans is currently taking care of another adult, voluntarily tending to an ill or frail loved one. And as the Baby-Boomer generation ages, that obligation is likely to increase. The burden takes a serious toll on caregivers, leading to poorer health and even an increased risk of death.

But what is it that actually takes the toll? Is it the physical wear-and-tear of feeding and bathing a needy relative? Is it simply that caregivers have too much work and too little time and energy? Or is it the emotional costs of watching a loved one deteriorate, or the anticipation of loss? Or all of this rolled together?

Click here to read the full story about a recently released study discussed on Wray Herbert's We're Only Human blog.