The Sunday Times Insights column explored this question: who will look after the oldies?
My takes r:
1. who ARE they?
We need to understand who r they not just by age. We need to know:
a. their individual finances;
b. their kids', if any, finances; after making sure reasonable allowances had been made to NOT burden them if they have their own lives n families to take care of!;
2. how the oldies want their remaining lives to be:
a. if they r healthy n independent;
b. if they r sick n dependent on others to help.
3. how the kids want to help n NOT mandated to help if they r unwilling n/or unable?
4. how can the costs of taking care of the sick n dependent oldies be managed to a "low cost high quality competitive" services n solutions with everyone in the value chains not paid super salaries or incentives or profits?
5. medical insurance is definitely part of the overall solutions. At the same time the state has to be the ultimate providers of final help to the oldies whom nobody wants to care for. No question abt this.
6. finally, certain oldies r beyond education or re-education to lead a healthy n productive lifestyle. Those the state must take care.
For those who are the young oldies, education n personal incentives to encourage living healthily will b worth every penny or cent invested in them.
Stop talking n thinking costs can only go up! In the semiconductor industry costs come down right after the newest b best chips r invented! Competition drives the selling price down. Of course, if we disallowed super profit, costs can be managed! e.g. does Apple Inc has to make so much money where it's cash hordes r in 100 of billions? Go figured!
Oh, just one other thing, keep wastage down will help to cut costs too. E.g. do we need a hotel grade lobby in a public hospital?
Staying healthy all oldies.
My takes r:
1. who ARE they?
We need to understand who r they not just by age. We need to know:
a. their individual finances;
b. their kids', if any, finances; after making sure reasonable allowances had been made to NOT burden them if they have their own lives n families to take care of!;
2. how the oldies want their remaining lives to be:
a. if they r healthy n independent;
b. if they r sick n dependent on others to help.
3. how the kids want to help n NOT mandated to help if they r unwilling n/or unable?
4. how can the costs of taking care of the sick n dependent oldies be managed to a "low cost high quality competitive" services n solutions with everyone in the value chains not paid super salaries or incentives or profits?
5. medical insurance is definitely part of the overall solutions. At the same time the state has to be the ultimate providers of final help to the oldies whom nobody wants to care for. No question abt this.
6. finally, certain oldies r beyond education or re-education to lead a healthy n productive lifestyle. Those the state must take care.
For those who are the young oldies, education n personal incentives to encourage living healthily will b worth every penny or cent invested in them.
Stop talking n thinking costs can only go up! In the semiconductor industry costs come down right after the newest b best chips r invented! Competition drives the selling price down. Of course, if we disallowed super profit, costs can be managed! e.g. does Apple Inc has to make so much money where it's cash hordes r in 100 of billions? Go figured!
Oh, just one other thing, keep wastage down will help to cut costs too. E.g. do we need a hotel grade lobby in a public hospital?
Staying healthy all oldies.
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