Challenges Of Finding Quality Elder Care In Montana

I've been trying to write an article for hours and I can't.

It all comes back to what my mom is going through right now, so I'm writing that.

Today We're Talking About Quality Of Life For The Elderly

My mom is at the point in her life where she needs help all the time. She'd never admit it, but it's at critical mass. Those of you who've taken care of your elderly parents in any way will know what I mean.

I don't want to intrude on my mom's life.

I want my mom to have the life she wants.

She's just not safe anymore.

Here I am. Here she is.

I'm Looking Into Assisted Living And She Doesn't Know

So yeah, I feel pretty shady, "this is for your own good b.s." type sneak-around things that decent, honest people don't do.

I also know my mom literally told me she'd rather die falling down than live in assisted living.

Here I am.

The Apartments That They Have For Assisted Living Are Shameful

I don't mean they're trash or sub-standard.

I'm not going to say where I've looked at assisted living apartments, it's not the business.

It's the standard we've chosen for the elderly in America.

Apparently, no matter how much money you have monthly, the max living space you deserve is around 300 square feet (in a studio).

Then, because that studio costs over $4,300 a month, they need another grand or so to actually ASSIST YOUR LIVING.

One place charges $16 an hour to do things like help you get dressed, make the bed, and give you medicine in assisted living, and this is on top of the rent.

The other place I've seen charges from $800-$2,600 a month as a monthly fee on top of rent, to help you live, in assisted living.

And did I mention that Social Security will be happy to help you live in one of those gigantic and simply extravagantly decorated apartments for all of their money. (I wish you could hear my sarcasm. They are so not either of those things. I couldn't believe the indoor outdoor carpet in a $4,000 a month room.)

No worries, they tell me. Your mom did everything right and had more than enough money for a comfortable retirement. (I was told today her retirement money is better than most.) Social Security will take all of her thousands of dollars every month and give her a stipend of around $300.

Now I have the added incentive to put even more money away and work like a dog. I'm so excited to set myself up comfortably so that I can eat food I do NOT choose, live in a room roughly the size of a Motel 6 suite, and have $300 whole dollars a month to just go crazy with. I can not wait to give my retirement to the government. It's exactly why I got into the workforce at 14.

We need to do better. I wish I had an idea.