The challenge of staying home

We all know how the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" ends: Dorothy taps her heals together and reminds herself that 'there's no place like home.' And that's true for many people in need of long-term care.

On today's program, two conversations about some of the challenges faced by two different groups of people wanting to stay in their homes and receive needed services there: people with a disability and the elderly. Both groups often find that living in their homes and in communities they're familiar with benefits them in multiple ways.

But the cost of long-term assistance from caregivers can make staying at home difficult, if not impossible.

Dr. Maureen Nash is a geriatric psychiatrist. She talks with host Seán Collins about the many psychological benefits of receiving care in a familiar setting for those who choose "aging in place."

And we hear from Dr. Lisa Iezzoni from the Harvard Medical School about the many barriers that exist for people with a disability, regardless of their age, remaining in their own home.

.

Transcript for The challenge of staying at home

Dr. Nash has recently been named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. She previously was a guest on this podcast's episodes that focused on Dementia and memory care and Family Caregiving.

.

Maureen Nash, M.D., FACP, FAPA, DFAAGP

Medical Director

Providence ElderPlace — PACE Oregon

Portland, Ore.

.

.

Dr. Iezzoni is the author of Making Their Days Happen: Paid Personal Assistance Services Supporting People with Disability Living in Their Homes and Communities. She previously was a guest on this podcast's episode that focused on Doctors & Disabilities.

.

Lisa Iezzoni, M.D., MSc.

Professor of Medicine

Harvard Medical School

Health Policy Research Center—The Mongan Institute

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Mass.

.

.

FOR MORE INFORMATIION:

Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home

Book review of Making Their Days Happen [link TK]

Dignity of risk and living at home despite severe disability

Informal and formal home care for older adults with disabilities [link TK]

Remaining at home with a severe disability [link TK]

Historical mismatch between home-based care policies and laws governing home care [link TK]

Making their days happen book review

Dignity of Risk and Living at Home Despite Severe Disability

Historical Mismatch Between Home-based Care Policies and Laws Governing Home Care

Informal and formal home care for older adults with disabilities

Remaining at Home with a Severe Disability

.

CONTRIBUTORS

• Seán Collins
• Lisa Iezzoni M.D.
• Maureen Nash M.D.
• Marti (family caregiver)
• Scott Acord

KEYWORDS

• paid caregivers
• home-based care
• disability
• aging
• aging in place
• long-term home care