Live data from Hacker News

The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

prospect.org

41–50 of 87 posts

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#41
post #40
post #36

It's mind-blowing that we live like this. We forced every adult into being a single atomic worker by completely eliminating jobs and benefits that enable single earners to care for their entire family (through the "unpaid" domestic work of the wife). Then, when we need to actually care for our families, we outsource that to the private sector, so that other atomic worker units can do the job for us. We have to do thi…

In the golden olden days in which you allude, no one was paid to take care of children and parents. It's an argument to say we should subsidize those that care for their own parents and children (and there are numerous government programs and tax breaks that already do), but you are undercutting your thesis with this bizarre assertion. Many old people never had kids, and don't have any family. They need paid workers…

And why are we now comfortable with not having kids? Because of atomism.

The "golden age" argument is flawed. No one seriously argues that literally everything was better in the past. Rather, the criticism is that it's absurd to have gotten rid of something positive we already had, only to replace it with something worse and gain no net benefit as a result.

It's all a matter of interconnected systems, including systems like social shaming. If it's unacceptable socially to not have a family, you'll have one. If it's unacceptable for women to work and compete with men for wealth and power, men will make enough to support their entire families, allowing at least one parent to always be there to raise children properly, instead of outsourcing that to strangers -- same for elderly care.

At the end of the day, atomism harms everyone and everything.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#42
Of course to the extent that this is true, it is very sad. The plight of the elderly is so tough, it is the reason I volunteered at old folks homes in college.

But I don’t find this article very credible. It lacks objectivity and first hand sources. We must demand real journalism and acknowledge that just because a story is compelling doesn’t mean it is news.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> also seen healthy but less able older folks put in homes so that their kids could collect their inheritances and sell off everything else... Not sure what you mean by this, but putting someone in a skilled nursing facility costs about 10,000/month nominally. The "Deficit Reduction Act" of 2005 (thanks Bush), requires a 5 year look-back period for transactions to family members. Meaning that if a resident spends dow…

> putting someone in a skilled nursing facility costs about 10,000/month nominally Who on earth is able to afford this? Everywhere I look there are nursing homes full of ordinary people. I can't believe more than 0.1% of these people are literally able to afford $10,000/month. People live in those places for 20 years sometimes. That's $24,000,000. It just doesn't add up, dude. I think the actual cost is way, way, way…

There's levels of care. Skilled nursing is among the highest.

A nice assisted living facility might be $8,000 a month.

A retirement community will be less yet.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#44
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the golden olden days in which you allude, no one was paid to take care of children and parents. It's an argument to say we should subsidize those that care for their own parents and children (and there are numerous government programs and tax breaks that already do), but you are undercutting your thesis with this bizarre assertion. Many old people never had kids, and don't have any family. They need paid workers…

And why are we now comfortable with not having kids? Because of atomism. The "golden age" argument is flawed. No one seriously argues that literally everything was better in the past. Rather, the criticism is that it's absurd to have gotten rid of something positive we already had, only to replace it with something worse and gain no net benefit as a result. It's all a matter of interconnected systems, including syste…

In the past it was understood if you didn't have a family and kids, and find a way to make an income within the family unit, no one would help you. It is only within the last 100 years that social safety nets became cradle-to-grave regardless of your family circumstances.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> also seen healthy but less able older folks put in homes so that their kids could collect their inheritances and sell off everything else... Not sure what you mean by this, but putting someone in a skilled nursing facility costs about 10,000/month nominally. The "Deficit Reduction Act" of 2005 (thanks Bush), requires a 5 year look-back period for transactions to family members. Meaning that if a resident spends dow…

> putting someone in a skilled nursing facility costs about 10,000/month nominally Who on earth is able to afford this? Everywhere I look there are nursing homes full of ordinary people. I can't believe more than 0.1% of these people are literally able to afford $10,000/month. People live in those places for 20 years sometimes. That's $24,000,000. It just doesn't add up, dude. I think the actual cost is way, way, way…

Medicaid pays for it if you can't afford it. You must spend down your assets first, before medicaid will pay.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#46
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> putting someone in a skilled nursing facility costs about 10,000/month nominally Who on earth is able to afford this? Everywhere I look there are nursing homes full of ordinary people. I can't believe more than 0.1% of these people are literally able to afford $10,000/month. People live in those places for 20 years sometimes. That's $24,000,000. It just doesn't add up, dude. I think the actual cost is way, way, way…

Medicaid pays for it if you can't afford it. You must spend down your assets first, before medicaid will pay.

You are confusing Medicare with Medicaid.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#47
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Medicaid

Do you think most citizens pay in that much tax in their lifetime? How do you imagine this is adding up?

> Do you think most citizens pay in that much tax in their lifetime?

For a fraction of them to need long-term care at some level, mostly not the nursing level, for on average around 2-3 years? Yes, easily.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#48
post #36

It's mind-blowing that we live like this. We forced every adult into being a single atomic worker by completely eliminating jobs and benefits that enable single earners to care for their entire family (through the "unpaid" domestic work of the wife). Then, when we need to actually care for our families, we outsource that to the private sector, so that other atomic worker units can do the job for us. We have to do thi…

Women gained freedom, aka ability to earn income.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#49
post #36

It's mind-blowing that we live like this. We forced every adult into being a single atomic worker by completely eliminating jobs and benefits that enable single earners to care for their entire family (through the "unpaid" domestic work of the wife). Then, when we need to actually care for our families, we outsource that to the private sector, so that other atomic worker units can do the job for us. We have to do thi…

Very few people want to take care of their parents

I've seen our family share the burden among siblings over time. My SO's family often rotated duties too. This was more practical when there were many kids and the elderly didn't have as many years in need of assistance.

In hindsight it looks like it was a blessing and a curse. More time with them but weighed heavily on the mothers and daughters of all ages.

Re: The Corporatization of Nursing Homes

#50
post #36

It's mind-blowing that we live like this. We forced every adult into being a single atomic worker by completely eliminating jobs and benefits that enable single earners to care for their entire family (through the "unpaid" domestic work of the wife). Then, when we need to actually care for our families, we outsource that to the private sector, so that other atomic worker units can do the job for us. We have to do thi…

Women gained freedom, aka ability to earn income.

The freedom to work for a boss that sees her as just another disposable "human resource" instead of working for a family that sees her as it's essential heart.
Post reply on HN