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Data: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies ; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals As America’s population of seniors grows, affordable long-term care is increasingly hard to find. Why it matters: Nearly 70% of older adults will need long-term care services, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies . Medicare doesn’t cover these services, and Medicaid often has long wait lists for at-h

Source: Aging America faces a senior care crisis

Aging America faces a senior care crisis

Overview

According to a recent article from Axios, the United States is facing a major crisis when it comes to affordable long-term care for seniors. As the population of older adults continues to grow, the availability of accessible care services is becoming increasingly scarce. The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies highlights that almost 70% of seniors will require such services, yet Medicare does not cover them, and Medicaid is notorious for its long waitlists.

Key Points

• Nearly 70% of older adults will need long-term care services, as stated by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
• Medicare does not provide coverage for long-term care services.
• Medicaid often has long waitlists for those in need of affordable care.
• The lack of accessible and affordable long-term care poses a significant challenge for the aging population in the United States.

Counter Points

• Who needs affordable long-term care anyway? Seniors should just pull themselves up by their bootstraps and take care of themselves, right?
• Why should the government waste taxpayer money on providing necessary care for the elderly? Let’s focus on more important things like corporate tax breaks instead!
• Long waitlists for Medicaid? Well, seniors can just twiddle their thumbs and wait for assistance while their health deteriorates. It’s not like they have anywhere else to be, right?

Hot Take

It is truly remarkable how a country as advanced as the United States fails to prioritize the well-being of its aging population. While seniors face the increasing challenges of finding affordable and accessible long-term care, the government continues to disregard their needs. This crisis highlights the urgent necessity for comprehensive and inclusive healthcare reforms that encompass the aging population’s requirements. It’s time for society to step up and ensure our seniors receive the care and support they deserve.