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tahlyn t1_it9qwwu wrote

Reply to comment by plscallmeRain in Failing nursing homes to face tougher penalties by Thetimmybaby

PA's laws aren't better. They force children to pay for their parents' care without regard to the child's upbringing or current circumstances.

Just because someone spent their whole life not preparing for their old age doesn't mean their children should have their own own retirement and their own financial wellbeing destroyed to pay for an entire generation of irresponsible people who decided retirement wasn't a priority for them.

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ChickenSandwich61 t1_itae2jl wrote

I agree. And what about people who are like no contact or estranged from there parents, perhaps due to their parents having been abusive, neglectful, etc. Imagine then being forced to pay for this. Insane.

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booksgamesandstuff t1_itary5a wrote

... My divorced, very independent mother worked til she was 78. Her Social Security was max'd out and she had a pension from her years working at Rockwell and Boeing. She thought she would be ok... Yes, she qualified for many of the programs available in PA because of the lottery funding but still didn't have enough for a decent facility in her last years. She spent her last year with me, at my house and I think she resented every minute of it. We had an aide come in twice a week, but I had no help from family. Until you're there, don't judge.

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sluttyjamjams73 t1_itcabeh wrote

OP obviously isn't talking about your specific, single case. Unless is't actually an attack on you, don't react.

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booksgamesandstuff t1_itcrlfg wrote

That was not an attack, and I do know how this ended up for several senior citizens. My point was to not generalize. Every situation is different, and while most people do try to prepare, the reality at the end becomes the same for all. You’re well-off enough that money isn’t a concern for you or your family…OR what you thought would be sufficient for your needs will always go towards end of life medical needs until they run out. Then you go to whatever facility you and family can afford…and it’s not a pretty picture for anyone.

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DrKillgore t1_ita6uwr wrote

What’s the alternative? Euthanasia?

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tahlyn t1_ita90gm wrote

A proper pension/social security system.

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DrKillgore t1_ita9ke1 wrote

If only they would stop borrowing against SS and increase the maximum income contribution.

I think Canada’s euthanasia program is more likely.

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shinra528 t1_itacuua wrote

Or just stronger overall safety nets.

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DrKillgore t1_itadfvp wrote

The only safety nets in America today are golden parachutes.

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calm_chowder t1_itasj2j wrote

Yes, if warranted. If an elderly person wants to die, it should be an option. Why not? Living should also be an option, but realistically no elderly person is ever gonna get better from being elderly. If their situation is bad enough they want to pass we should let them do it with dignity.

Imagine suffering every day and knowing it'll only get worse every day and can never get any better, but potentially living another 5 or 10 years being more tortured every single day. You've done everything you wanted to/could do in your life and now with nothing ahead of you you're forced to get up each and every day for fresh suffering and to lose another part of yourself, no dignity, no self reliance, no modesty, no independence... just because your shitty body won't quit when your mind and soul are already half gone.

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NoodlesrTuff1256 t1_itd0j65 wrote

Assisted suicide is obviously a highly controversial and emotionally charged subject. Those who object to it becoming easier to obtain do have some legitimate concerns so far as fears of greedy relatives pressuring their elderly parent to 'check out' before the inheritance is depleted. But I think that those instances are much rarer than the scare tactics of people like Sarah Palin and her 'Death Panels' propaganda would have you believe.

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NoodlesrTuff1256 t1_itd02sf wrote

On a lot of discussion boards (Reddit and others) when the topic of nursing homes, elder care, and dementias comes up, it's amazing how many people say they'd prefer death to winding up in the worst of these nursing homes. Black humor jokes along the lines of "What's your long-term care plan if you're diagnosed with Alzheimer's? -- Answer: "Smith & Wesson" or "Making an appointment with Dr. Kevorkian."

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