This subject of the elderly has been weighing in on my mind lately. Especially after visiting with a friend about an elderly family member. I'm writing this to raise awareness of what our elderly go through and what we may face one day.
So many of our elderly are having to choose between eating or paying for their medications. For many social security is the only income they have. Some have a small retirement pension to supplement their social security but it isn't enough to pay everything.
Here is something to think about. Medicare B and D costs our elderly. In some instances some qualify for the state to pick up the cost of Medicare B. Then they may have a supplemental insurance that costs close to $200 a month if not more.
Imagine that your gross social security check is $900 a month. Then you have a small retirement of $500 a month. Your home is paid for, but you have depleted all of your savings paying for property taxes and insurance on your home since you retired. Now you have nothing but you're monthly check.
Now you are down to around $1000 to live on, because remember you are already paying for Medicare B, D, and a supplemental insurance. Your prescriptions cost you around $300 a month. We'll say that is for over the counter also because in my mind, a prescription is anything the doctor advises you to take. Now you are down to $700.
Factor in depends, because you are now at an age that this is required. We'll say a package a week that costs around $20 each a package. Now you are down to $620. But wait, the doctor said you aren't eating enough so you need something to supplement your diet. Tack on another $100 for ensure. Now you are down to $520.
We just went through the cost of insurance and prescriptions. On top of that you have utilities, phone, transportation needs, In addition there may be a need to pay for help for an aid to come in and help you take a shower a couple of times a week. After paying for all of this, there is no money left for food.
What is a person in this situation supposed to do? Get a job? What if you are too sick? Apply for Medicaid? That could happen, but what if none of the programs offered are beneficial to you. What if the program will cost you more than your cost of medications? Yes, I have seen that.
I can hear some asking the question while reading this, 'What about family?' In some instances there may not be family close by, they either live in another state, may work a lot of hours to support their children, or they may be disabled themselves. You may have cut that family member off because when they did come around, they stole from you or taken advantage of you. Family is not always the best answer or even an option.
There is a program for our veterans and their spouses called Aid and Attendant Care. I thank my friend Peggy for introducing this to me, because I tell people about this and help some elderly apply. However, there is a catch to this income also. One being the veteran had to serve 90 days active duty, during a war, be age 65 and over, and have less than $50,000 in assets. The pay is based on a sliding scale of how much medical costs you have.
Also check with various associations and foundations to inquire if they have grants, waivers, or scholarships to assist with costs of medications. There are many hidden programs out there that many don't have knowledge of unless the right questions are asked.
I'm going to end this with, please be aware of the elderly around you. Ask them if they have all that they need. Remember, you may think this won't happen to you, but it can. I have seen where some should never have been in a situation of choosing to eat or buy a medication but they are because their health took a turn for the worse.
