Elderly Housing

There are many current and emerging issues in elderly housing. The main point of debate that surrounds the issue of elderly housing is the construction of public assistance so as to support the housing transitions, which are crucial in that it allows community-based houses for the elderly to become an integral and also active element in the care system. The first issue that greatly influences elderly housing is the fact that as many people reach the retirement age, they face a lot of experience changes from income falling, their children leaving home, limited emergency of activities, increased health problems, and spouse’s institutionalization or death. The elderly cannot be described as a monolithic group (Struyk, 1988). They have different and diverse housing-related problems. This can be attributed to whether they are homeowners or renters. Therefore there is the need to come up with housing policies that are flexible enough to accommodate and address the housing problem of the elderly at different levels and circumstances. The paper will be focusing on different aspects that affect and result in elderly housing problems. This ranges from a global view on the issue, political perspective, and local opinion. The paper will also review how different regulations have been put in place in ensuring that the subject has been worked on in each of the three points of view.

Global View

            Many issues come with aging in different countries across the globe. The main problem is poverty that has continued to affect many older people in getting proper care. They remain highly self-sufficient. As they have no jobs, they face financial issues and challenges. They become targets of ridicule and stereotyping. In many countries, mostly poor people come from older people who are no longer working but depend on their families for help. This can be attributed to the fact that most countries do not offer or offer limited retirement plans and dwindling savings; they continue to live under immense conditions. For example, the levels of poverty levels among the US elderly population has risen to 14% in 2010 (Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission, 2010).

Demographics

 Many people are currently being affected by the issue of elderly homes, and more so in developing countries. However, it is essential to note that there are also people living in developed countries like the USA and Britain and still experience these problems. The population of the elderly who are at risk of being affected by the issue is around 841 million (as of 2013). It is projected to increase to over 2 billion by 2050 (Mohammadinia, Rezaei, & Atashzadeh-Shoorideh, 2017). It is also expected that eight out of ten older people will be living in developing countries where the population growth of the elderly is high. As such, the population at risk is increasing at a higher rate, which is detrimental.

            The problem affecting the elderly is increasing at a higher rate in many countries. This is because of the rising population of 65+ and the increasing conditions of living in many areas across the globe. Many people who are experiencing issues are living in developing countries and abject poverty. In many of these countries, there are no well-established retirement benefits and plans, and as such, many elders are left to depend on their relatives for upkeep.

            There are a lot of people who are affected by the issue of elderly housing across the globe. This includes the elderly themselves, who are the recipients of the problem. Many of them are living in developing countries where there are no well-established nursing homes or elderly housing plans. Their relatives are also affected by the issue as they are left with no choice but to take care of their relatives who, with time, become dependent as they cannot work anymore. This creates a lot of commotion as, at times, it becomes difficult to care for them and also for other family members (Struyk, 1988). The two are the ones that are directly affected by the issue of lack of elderly housing plans.

            In addressing the issue, many governments are coming up with subsidized housing for the population. Many programs are aimed to be affordable and also profitable not only to the governments but different organizations that are offering such type of services. The governments are also alleviating taxes from homeowners, allowing many owners to access equity at their homes (Pillemer, 2016). This is paramount in ensuring that older adults have easier access to the homes and are also able to be supported by their loved ones who are working at the same time.

National View

            The federal government has put up measures that are aimed at helping the elderly population from being affected by the issue. According to a report by the Population Resource Center, one in eight Americans is aged over 65 years as compared to one in ten back in the 1950s. The policies are aimed at improving the quality of life for them as well as establishing a concrete solution that would last for decades. The federal government passed the first law on nursing home in 1935. This policy was aimed at helping the elderly through the Old Age Assistance policy (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Nursing Home Regulation, 1986).

            The social influence as to why this policy was put in place and continued to be implemented is due to many elderly struggling to live a quality life after retirement. With dwindling retirement benefits, many older people are left with no options but to seek help from caregivers in the country. However, there has been much concern about the quality given in these homes with continued funding from the government. Due to politicizing the issue, many homes provide poor quality services to their clients.  The economic factors that have been affecting the policies, causing numerous problems is because most elderly are living without a job after retirement. They cannot be able to sustain themselves. The government funding on the homes has also been met by a lot of uncertainties, which has continued to affect every person involved (Harrington, 2015).

            Through the issue of poverty, lack of funds during retirement, the question of elderly housing has always been a problem in the country from when the question was assimilated by the federal government policies in 1935. This is as a result of the number of elderly rising drastically with the resources that are aimed at helping the becoming limited faster. The facilities that offer the care are also a subject of controversy as not all give quality care to their clients as expected, creating a lot of debate over the issue (Harrington, 2015). The government has been supporting the issue of homes to help the old from the 1950s when Congress passed laws supporting the development of houses to shelter older people.

             Before it was passed, the government had abolished the issue of the almshouse and giving any financial support to the elderly with claims that the people who were residing in these homes were capable of receiving pensions (Carol, 2017). The government eventually abolished the houses and passed the law. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, policymakers brought about the issue of the modern housing industry, which resembled hospitals. There was also the passage of Medicare and Medicaid policies in 1965 that made it possible for private-owned homes to become a reality (Carol, 2017). After many controversies surrounding these homes on the issue of abuse, the government passed a law in 1972 that required all the houses to be supported by Medicaid and Medicare, reducing the patients’ violence and reimbursement for individuals wanting to enter the field. Today, nearly 6% of elderlies are housed in these homes, and the government primarily funds the homes through Medicare, Medicaid, and also resident-out-of-pocket resources (Carol, 2017).

            The policies that have been put across from the 1950s to abolish the almshouses, funding of the homes using Medicaid and Medicare, as well as the introduction of policies that protect the care given to the elderly are some of the legislative measures that have affected the issue of elderly homes in the country.

Local View

            There has been a lot of nursing home in the state that was established in the last century and continues to give care to citizens to date. These homes were developed independently, and through government legislation and policies, they have been incorporated in Medicaid or Medicare insurance platforms where they have continued to offer services to senior citizens who require compassionate care or just ordinary care in the state. Several known homes include Delmar Nursing and rehabilitation, Delaware Veterans home, and Oasis Senior advisors Delaware, among others.

            To address the issue of elderly homes in the state of Delaware, there have been numerous activities that have been undertaken. There have been policies like the care through the Kerr-Mills Act that have been initiated in the state. The state welfare council passed the policy in 1961 to ensure that the older people in the state were receiving quality care. The program was confined within the OAA of the national government as a way of giving it a trial, experience, and also to establish the administrative machinery. The Kerr-Mills act was useful as it was providing adequate provisions that are effective in giving care for the 65+ elderlies in the state (Margolis, 2019).

            Several existing resources are currently being used to address the issue of elderly housing in the state of Delaware. The miller trust can be described as an irrevocable income trust, which is required if a person is applying for Delaware long term care Medicaid program. The applicants receive a higher monthly income than what is allowed in Delaware. Similarly, there are several care options that the aging population in the state can choose from, including home care services like personal assistants or housekeepers. This is best for any senior citizen that is starting to require the care. Delaware also sponsors top companionship programs, making companion easier for citizens. Seniors are entitled to free companionship once they volunteer for the program. Other resources include senior centers, caregiver supports, respite care services, hospice, and palliative care, among others (FULLER, 2018).

 There are several existing elderly housing and care legislation in the state. They include assisted living facilities, long term care and transfer, discharge and readmission procedures, residential home regulations, and family care homes.  These legislations are vital for the quality of health provided for the elderly in the state. They also offer essential support for quality houses where senior citizens are safe and living in an environment that is healthy. The legislations also protect against abuse in the state to the senior citizens. 

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Conclusion

            Several factors affect the issue of elderly housing at global, national, and also at local levels. Governments around the world are coming up with measures that would ensure the senior citizens are receiving compensation, quality care, and assured rest once they have retired. These governments have assured that the senior citizens receive a car as well as policies that protect them from abuse. At the national level, the United States government has confirmed that the senior-most citizens are protected by different strategies that have been implemented from the last century, first through the abolition of almshouses. Through such policies, elderly housing has witnessed a tremendous change in the recent past with many older adults receiving care, protection, and compensation while at these care homes. At the local level, the state of Delaware has put across some measures and resources that are aimed at ensuring the issue of elderly housing is addressed. These resources include senior centers, caregiver supports, respite care services, senior centers, caregiver supports, and respite care services, among others.

References

Carol. (2017, June 18). The History of Nursing Homes: From Almshouses to Skilled Nursing. Retrieved February 05, 2020, from Rincon Del Rio: https://rincondelrio.com/the-history-of-nursing-homes-from-almshouses-to-skilled-nursing/

FULLER, W. (2018). Senior Resources in Delaware. Retrieved February 05, 2020, from Family Assets: https://www.familyassets.com/delaware

Harrington, C. R. (2015). Hidden owners, hidden profits, and poor nursing home care: a case study. International Journal of Health Services, 45(4), 779-800.

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Nursing Home Regulation. (1986). History of Federal Nursing Home Regulation. In Improving the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes. Washington DC: National Academies Press.

Margolis, R. J. (2019). Risking old age in America. Routledge.

Mohammadinia, N., Rezaei, M. A., & Atashzadeh-Shoorideh, F. (2017). Elderly peoples’ experiences of nursing homes in Bam city: A qualitative study. Electron Physician, 9(8), 5015-5023.

Pillemer, K. B. (2016). Elder abuse: global situation, risk factors, and prevention strategies. The Gerontologist, 56( Supply_2), S194-S205.

Struyk, R. J. (1988). Current and Emerging Issues in Housing Environments for the Elderly. Washington DC: National Academies Press (US).

Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission. (2010). Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission. 2010. “Poverty Rate by Age.” Retrieved January 21, 2012 (″). Retrieved February 05, 2020, from Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission: http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparebar.jsp?ind=10&cat=1