The generation that built America’s prosperity now faces neglect in their twilight years.
These hard working individuals, many of them veterans, contributed to a thriving economy, paid into Social Security, pensions, and savings —but now find themselves caught in a failing system. What is America doing to support them?
The process of accessing benefits is a labyrinthine nightmare. Seniors describe the frustration of navigating Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental health plans, all buried under layers of bureaucratic jargon and acronyms. Without tech-savvy advocates, printers, or the ability to scan documents on time, seniors are left adrift. Insurance and benefits representatives, often apathetic, fail to guide applicants through the system. Calls go unanswered, approvals drag on, and many seniors are forced to empty their savings or die waiting for care.
The cost of care is unsustainable. Non-medical companion care averages $35 an hour—$100,000 annually for 12-hour daily assistance. Seniors too “wealthy” for Medicaid but unable to afford such costs drain their savings, leaving them impoverished and without proper care. This is not acceptable.
Unsafe discharges from rehabilitation facilities further endanger seniors. Many are sent home without proper equipment, support, or care plans, left to fend for themselves. Missed paperwork deadlines or incomplete forms result in loss of coverage, creating a cycle of neglect. Providers blame staffing shortages, but this excuse does not absolve the system of its failure to protect the vulnerable.
Connecticut must act. Comprehensive oversight is needed to enforce accountability, ensure patient safety, and provide affordable care. Medicaid income limits must be raised, look-back periods shortened, and penalties for errors eliminated. Nursing homes and rehab facilities require strict regulation to prevent neglect.
Seniors, share your stories. Your voices need to be heard now. This system must change before it fails any more of those who deserve dignity, respect, and care in their final years.
Holly Seymour lives in Glastonbury.