Hispanic Adults Concerned About Barriers to Home Health

The sixth annual Long-Term Care Poll published by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found many Hispanic adults are worried about finding a Spanish-fluent home health aide, reports Home Health Care News . Fewer than 50 percent of Hispanics older than 18 said an older individual in that demographic group could easily find a home health aide in their local area who speaks Spanish. Still, Hispanic adults widely note it would be easier to find a home health aide who meets their needs versus finding a nursing community or assisted living community that does. In addition, almost 33 percent of older Hispanics expect to rely on government programs to cover care costs, but only 20 percent expect Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid to continue providing the same level of benefits in five years. "In 2017, the average yearly income through Social Security for retirees was about $17,000," the study says. "But part-time home health aide costs an average of about $49,000 annually in the U.S." Policies being proposed to help Americans prepare for the costs of care include coverage via Medicare Advantage and government-administered long-term care insurance, which is popular among older Hispanics. Most Hispanics 40 and up also support employers offering long-term care insurance as a benefit similar to health insurance.