In a three-part series, The Sarasota Herald-Tribune takes a close look at how people are cared for as they age. They begin with a couple who embody the once-common pattern: spouses who care for each other as they age.
When an ailing person has no spouse or adult offspring to provide care, home care aides are seen as the solution to keeping people out of residential nursing facilities. While the federal Affordable Care Act favors home health care, such services can be expensive.
The increased demand has led to caregivers who may not be properly trained or suited for the job. Florida is one of the few states that require certification for home caregivers.
Part 3 discusses the future of elder care. It will likely depend heavily on technology, with some aging specialists touting personal care robots as one key to prolonged independence in the future.
