Where to retire? Vermont sounds good!

If there is one thing I've learned about aging it's this: I do not want to go to a nursing home. I think most seniors feel that way.

I remember when my grandfather became too much for my grandma to care for. She'd been giving him his diabetes shots and providing other care at home right up until she broke her leg at Fire Island. Her leg didn't heal right and so it was more and more difficult for her to manage everything on her own. My grandfather eventually had to go to a nursing home--totally against his will. He died there. But before that happened, I overheard bits and pieces from relatives about how unhappy he was. He was confused, didn't know where he was and often fought the orderlies. My grandma said she'd rather die than go to a nursing home.

There came a point where grandma couldn't take care of herself anymore some 15 years after my grandfather passed. The family split down the middle with three of my uncles wanting to put her in a nursing home and my mother, aunt and other uncle arguing for home care. Eventually, my mom, aunt and other uncle prevailed. Family members took turns staying with grandma overnight and a home health care aide came five days a week. Grandma lived at home almost until the end when a blood infection forced her to be hospitalized and she died there wanting to "blow this joint" with my cousin.

My first husband's maternal grandma thought if she went into a nursing home she'd be less of a burden on her family. She gave up her home to live in a community with other elders but then her health started to fail. However, when she found out how much of her own freedom and assets she had to give up and found out everyone had to wear sweat suits, she decided she'd much rather live in an assisted living center. She's thriving there.

What has this got to do with retiring in Vermont? Well, apparently they've found a great way to save on Medicare expenses and allow their senior citizens to live out their lives at home--even if they need more involved care.

Many states are looking to Vermont for an example, as their budget constraints converge with a sense of personal independence that today's seniors increasingly desire.

"This is really taking us back a century, to when seniors always aged in the home," says Churchill Hindes, president of the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties. "We had gotten away from that for most of the 20th century, but we are going back to the idea of growing old at home."

Some say home care would cost Vermont just half of what institutional care does.The state's goal is to use savings accrued as seniors shift to home-based care to serve more people, including those who don't qualify for Medicaid's long-term services.

Called Choice for Care, the new waiver program, which went into effect Oct. 1, sends 12 nurses across the state to assess the needs of Vermont's elders. Those who prefer care at home or in residential care facilities receive support for their daily maintenance, such as help with bathing or grooming. They can also enroll in adult day care and emergency-response programs.

Vermont previously allowed only 1,200 seniors the option to receive community-based care.

"Before, many would go to nursing homes, because otherwise they would have nothing," says Susan Reinhard, co-director of the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy in New Jersey. Some seniors may need little more than a wheelchair ramp or help coordinating doctor's visits. "What Vermont got away from is yes or no, all or nothing."

If other states start adopting programs like Vermont's, I'll have more choices for a good place to retire. But right now, my eyes are on the Green Mountain state.

The whole story is here.

Monday Music Mambo

1. Name five songs, of any genre, that have the word "dance" or "dancing" in the title.

Dance to the Music
Lord of the Dance
Could I Have This Dance For The Rest Of My Life
Safety Dance
Last Dance


2. Are you a good dancer, or do you have two left feet?

I don't have two left feet, I'm a sway-er. My feet don't move, heh

3. How important do you think dancing ability is for a musician? Should they be encouraged to strut their stuff, or would you rather they just play the music?

I think they should do whatever comes naturally to them. Personally, I like it when they "strut their stuff" a la Mick Jagger.

4. What is your favorite music video that includes dancing?

Oh I have loads of favorites. One of the most creative ones was "Thriller"