Nursing home…

My mother-in-law’s SS & all of her pensions (she had 3 of them) all go into her checking account, not the nursing home. Then my husband just writes a check once a month for the full amount. I am aware that any SS one gets would go to the nursing home, pensions as well. But when tax time came & we needed the paperwork to get her taxes done, we had to call the nursing home for it; they said that it had been so long since they had a private pay patient, that they didn’t remember what to do. There are only 24 residents in this nursing home, however, so that might be the reason. They also told us that they get as much from the govt. as from those who do pay, I was surprised. We don’t mind that all of her money is going there, as they are the ones taking care of her, we could never do it (she has episodes of beligerent behavior & has tried leaving twice during the night.)

I am just wondering what people did before there were nursing homes, did the family manage to somehow take care of that person? My grandparents were never in a nursing home, were able to die at home. When did it all change…I remember when my husband’s grandmother went into the nursing home 32 years ago, and her 4 children each had to pitch in & make up the difference between her SS & the total cost. BTW back when FDR signed the SS law into effect, the lifespan was 65 years, that is why they made it that age. I think the whole system needs to be revamped, as it is going to go broke. What are we leaving for our children, some mess…my children are already telling us that the baby boom generation has ruined SS & Medicare for them. I feel bad when they say this. What will it be like for those who are around 30 now, wil they ever be able to retire? Just wondering…