Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Evolution Of Funded Elder Care Resources

By Megan Edwards


Traditionally, elder care resources were the domain of their families. While most honored this tradition, many could not, especially if their loved one had age related health issues. As there were no nursing homes in the early twentieth century, the relatives would be placed in institutions. elder care resources

Informally known as poorhouses, these institutions lacked facilities for aged citizens. According to sources, the aged citizens had to fend for themselves and many died of neglect. Research indicates that authorities at the time chose to maintain those conditions, instead of changing them. Their motive was to dissuade family members from relying on them to provide for the aged.

Organizations were established by communities with senior citizens in mind. These organizations gave families the encouragement to forget about institutions looking after their loved ones. In the nineteen thirties awareness that senior citizens deserved to be well looked after gained recognition.

Government funding for aged welfare was approved in nineteen thirty-five. This meant that states received financial grants. These grants financially supported retired people as long as they were living at home. Aged citizens living in poorhouses were not entitled to the benefits.

This was done to keep older people out of poorhouses. Nursing homes resulted from this ban. Residents of nursing homes were entitled to their benefits. In the nineteen fifties, nursing homes were required to have permits and each state had to set up a permit system for nursing homes. The government allowed citizens dwelling in institutions to receive benefits and service providers receiving funding.

Changes in the law enabled new nursing homes to be features with hospital facilities. This meant that nursing homes were no longer welfare establishments, but provided for the medical needs of their residents. With time and progress, elder care resources have been continuously adapting to meet the changing requirements of senior citizens.




About the Author:



Share on :

No comments:

Post a Comment