Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | WA Cares, a silver lining when the need for help comes along
When celebrities bring awareness to horribly debilitating diseases like Parkinson’s (think Michael J. Fox), it helps the rest of us become more aware of how a diagnosis can be life-changing for people and their loved ones.
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 35. Common symptoms of MS can be invisible, but are serious — pain, vision problems, muscle weakness, balance issues and more. We have good days and bad days, but as the disease progresses, people with MS often end up needing support with daily living activities like moving around safely, making meals, and managing medication.
Today I’m fortunate to have my strength and a supportive family. I’m working full time, and keep very active, hiking and camping with my kids. But I accept a reality that most people would rather stay in denial about: Parkinson’s or MS, a stroke, dementia, or even a serious accident or illness can happen to anybody. The numbers don’t lie. At least 70% of us will need some form of long-term care if we live past 65. And to most people’s surprise, more than 40% of those who need long-term care are under 65.
Here in Washington state, we have a new benefit that no one else in the country has (yet). It’s called the WA Cares Fund, and it’s a public long-term care program that we contribute to while we are working, and have access to for our lifetime. Why is that such a big deal? Until they need help, most people don’t realize that long-term care support and services are not covered by regular health insurance or even Medicare. The financial shock of paying for care expenses compounds the emotional and physical challenges of caring for ourselves or a loved one.
Things like a home care aide, mobility equipment, modifications like ramps and grab bars are examples of long-term care services and supports allow people to stay in their own homes with dignity, close to family and friends. And now millions of Washingtonians can use our WA Cares benefit to help cover expenses for care and supplies when a disease, accident, or the normal challenges that are part of aging come along.
As Christina Keys, a Vancouver-based caregiver advocate shared in a recent article, “I work with family caregivers all across the United States, in every situation. Whether it’s caring for somebody who’s blind, with mental health issues, with Alzheimer’s. They would kill for this type of program.”
As someone with a life-changing disease, I want to make sure everyone in Washington knows about WA Cares. If you or someone you know has been working but now needs help with at least three activities of daily living (ADLs) – things like dressing, taking a shower, moving around safely, making meals or going to doctors appointments – encourage them to apply and see if they are eligible to tap their WA Cares benefit.
When a person experiencing a debilitating condition gets resources and the care they need, that has a positive impact on their family, reducing the financial and emotional stress of caregiving. WA Cares benefits will no doubt be a silver lining in what can be the darkest times of our lives.
Ben Patinkin
Gig Harbor
Ben Patinkin is President of Patinkin Research Strategies and lives in Gig Harbor with his family.