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OPINION

Bierdeman: SCHOA should look at options for infirm

Posted

I am a retired medical social worker, having worked in health care for 25 years with a predominant focus on geriatrics as it relates to client service needs and placement issues.

I have been caring for my mother who has dementia at her Sun City house for six years, intentionally keeping her out of institutional care and off of Medicaid with the goal that she remains at home until her passing.  

While I understand Sun City Home Owners Association officials’ concern regarding Sun City age restrictions/guidelines, allowing temporary residency to “underage” persons for the purpose of caring for at-risk Sun City residents would not be difficult to implement. It would provide Sun City residents the opportunity to remain at home when they would otherwise have no other choice but to move elsewhere and, although I may be wrong, I find it difficult to believe that many Sun City residents would be opposed to such arrangements.

Many senior citizens cannot afford hiring either part- or full-time caregivers. Allowing family (or even non-family) members, regardless of age, to stay with and care for Sun City residents in their homes would be of great benefit to those with deteriorating physical and/or cognitive conditions.

Because I meet the age requirements for Sun City residency, my mother’s caregiving needs are being met without controversy. My hope is that this issue would be reconsidered for those whose (potential) caregivers are younger.

Ted Bierdeman

Sun City