Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Continuum of Care’ cost pegged at $88 million, March 21.
As part of the “Baby Boom” generation, I read this article with great interest. It’s proposed location and “service plan” seem very apropos and most welcome.
Some of us have the good fortune to have family/friends who can offer help. However, most of them are younger, still working, caring for their children – and therefore unavailable during critical periods of the day. Many (too many) do not have such supports. The need for such a “continuum” of care is definitely there.
The mention of the issues of isolation and loneliness becomes very salient and pertinent. As we are aging, our ability to access and utilize necessary services declines. The result: too many of us are ending up in long-term care facilities or, in the last, long hospital stays. Both could be greatly reduced with a “continuum” system of care.
The figure quoted – $88 million – may seem high, but calculating cost per head with today’s population would run about $5,000. In 25 years it would run about $2,500. Consider what it costs to house a senior in a hospital (for lack of available placements).
A “continuum” plan would appear to be more cost effective.
The woefully inadequate supply of suitable housing available in the entire region is cause for stress – a testament to the dire need.
The time to proceed is yesterday.
My one hope is that such a plan would incorporate seniors in its design/execution. Our insights and perspectives would surely be invaluable.
Patricia Fimio,
Orton