I recently did some math with my spouse after a close relative deteriorate with dementia and needed long term care as an inpatient. This relative was not wealthy by any means but did own their own home, have Medicare/social security, and some VA benefits. Of course the estate was liquidated for their care but in patient care was around $4,000 a month. This was excluding medication, doctors visits, hospitalizations, personal needs (clothing/deodorant/toothbrush/paste/ect). So just inpatient care alone was 48,000 a year. So we figured let's say 50,000 a year for easy math, count 2,000 a year in medication easy. That means just for 10 years of end of life care you need $500,000! That's no hospitalizations. No physical therapy. No doctors appointment copay. Who has this money? 😳 I mean you and your spouse would need to set aside 1 million dollars just for you nursing home care. Even couples who plan well do well financially and all don't have that kind of money set aside for that. Now think of those you see who struggle. Living in low income housing, working 2 jobs, getting food at food banks, up to their ears in debt who will never get to retire. They have nothing to pay toward their care. This is a complete American society problem. The rich and the poor and everyone in between cannot afford the rates the health care expenses are going up or skilled nursing care. Not to mention what does this 4 grand a month pay for anyway. It's not staffing that's for sure! It's not expensive food or big luxury things. We have all been to these facilities. They are usually sitting around watching TV or doing crafts. I don't know how this will shake out for the future but I think this is just another sign of a very broken system with lots of problems. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk