By World's Editorial Writers, Tulsa World, February 8, 2005
It's not surprising that most older Oklahomans want to be able to stay in their own homes and receive any needed care there. Who wouldn't?
But many of them -- probably most of them -- someday will have no choice but to live in an assisted-living facility or a nursing home, because in-home care is not widely available and affordable in Oklahoma.
A recent survey by AARP found that about 94 percent of respondents consider it important for long-term care services to be available in the home setting. About 52 percent said they would want long-term care services in their homes from a nurse, aide or family or friends. About 29 percent said they would prefer living in an assisted-living center.
About 56 percent said they worry about not having adequate long-term care services for themselves or family members.
Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma's associate state director, said the survey makes it clear Oklahomans want more options for long-term care -- especially those options that enable them to stay in their homes.
"We spent about $452 million in 2004 on nursing home care and only about 3 percent want to go there," Voskuhl said. "Maybe we need to make some policy decisions to redirect funding for home and community-based care to allow people to stay in their homes. Clearly, that's what seniors are wanting."
The Tulsa-based Long Term Care Authority has for years pushed for changes in state policies that would expand in-home care and community-based services that can help people stay in their homes. But currently, the majority of available funding still goes to nursing home care. The result is that when elderly Oklahomans have trouble taking care of themselves, in most cases their only option is a nursing home.
There are numerous reasons to revisit the way resources are distributed for care of the elderly. If more elderly Oklahomans can get the care they need and stay in their own homes -- and perhaps save the taxpayers some money at the same time -- why in the world wouldn't we aggressively pursue such an approach?
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