We all know most people would rather receive long-term care services at home than in a facility. But did you know that baby boomers – at least, most of those who responded to a recent survey – would rather be helped by a paid professional than a family member?
A survey of 1,011 middle- and upper-middle-income people between 50 and 70 years of age found that about half (49 percent) want to be assisted at home by both relatives and professionals. Just over a third (35 percent) wanted care at home from professionals only, while only 7 percent wanted just family members to assist them at home. The rest (about 8 percent) said they’d prefer to go into a nursing home.
Elise Nakhnikian, Senior Online Editor
enakhnikian@phinational.org
While this headline is thought-provoking, I believe another way to interpret this study is “A majority of consumers would prefer to receive support from a combination of family and paid caregivers.”
I prefer this frame, because too often advocates for paid caregivers and advocates for family caregivers vie for attention–competing against each other as if one constituency were “more important” than the other. Clearly, both family members and paid staff are essential, and I believe the Lincoln Retirement study reflects this reality. In fact, this study underscores the need for greater coordination between the paid and family caregiving systems.
~ Steven
Interesting findings.
Yes, it takes a village to care for an elder person. This is wise on boomer’s behalf. While we want our families in our lives, we don’t want to kill them.
The combination also creates a more stimulating environment and will hopefully leave time for the family member to act and talk and enjoy being a family rather than nothing more than a person who takes care of a myriad of details.
Most of us would prefer to stay in our own homes and community resources and family care is essential.
~Carol D. O’Dell
Author of Mothering Mother: A Daughter’s Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir
available on Amazon
http://www.mothering-mother.com