Infrastructure: "More than 1 in 5 Americans care for an elderly adult or

[Ilsa]

child with special needs."

Some of us do both. There is some assistance by the state, but since workers are poorly paid, it is hard to find dependable help. Of course, they won't consider paying me for taking care of either disabled person.

[Merlot]

1. It depends on what state you're in.

A friend of mine in another state was getting paid to take care of her disabled son, and my neighbor was getting paid to take care of his elderly father. Another friend in Oregon is applying to get paid to take care of his mother.

[Ilsa]

2. I know. Virginia offers this payment as well.

Some distant members of my husband's family are paid to take care of three adult daughters who have severe cognitive deficits.

[JudyM]

3. Never heard of this. Wonder if it's available for taking care of my elderly mother!

[Deminpenn]

4. Depends on where you live

It might also be a means-tested benefit.

[Buckeyeblue]

5. Yes. Many people are living to be older...but unfortunately they are not aging gracefully

We have this in our family. Ailments that used to prove fatal to people in their early 70's are now able to be managed, if the person has the means to afford health care and prescription medication. But this doesn't mean they stay spry. Many have mobility issues that make their care difficult. It's sad because while they are alive, they miss out on so much because getting them from point A to point B is physically and emotionally exhaustive for both them and the person(s) tending to them.

[Ilsa]

6. And with dementia, a person's filter may disappear,

leaving the caregivers with a high probability of frequent verbal abuse, if not physical.

One doctor asked my MIL to lose weight. She did, but I suspect alot of it was muscle mass. Her center of gravity has shifted slightly, and now she is weak and frail. But her physical health is okay, managed easily by medication. We're stuck.

[Buckeyeblue]

7. I completely agree...

Dementia and the frustration with being limited make a lot of people unpleasant to be around at times.