Walter Cronkite hosts this sobering and unflinching documentary about the increasing inability of families to provide for the long-term care of their aged parents and spouses. The major problem is that Medicaid provides coverage for nursing home care, but doesn't for home care. Many of the elderly don't want to go to a nursing home, and many of their children or spouses would rather keep and care for them at home-but they simply can't afford it. Using increased longevity statistics, poignant mini-stories of people who are struggling to keep their loved ones at home and still make ends meet, interviews with lawmakers and professionals in the health care field who argue for and against government aid for home care, and reports on innovative long-term care alternatives to nursing homes (foster homes, assisted-living apartments, voice-activated robots, etc.), this excellent program makes a very strong case indeed for a re-examination of current health benefits for the elderly. As Helen Sweet, 72, who lives alone, but can no longer afford to pay her part-time nurse, sums it up: "don't outlive your money." Highly recommended for libraries who, ironically, can afford it. (Available from: PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314-1698.)
Can't Afford To Grow Old
(1989) 58 m. $3011. PBS Video. Public performance rights included. Vol. 4, Issue 9
Can't Afford To Grow Old
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