Yes, the plight of many of our Seniors.... I don't have any idea of what the status/care/accommodations are in the US, but I can tell you a few things here. In Ontario the cost of a basic shared (double occupancy) room was $1735./ month in a government approved facility. The home (Heidehof) in which my husband was ironically one in which his company did all the masonry work in 1974-75. It was built by the German community as a private Seniors' home and received Government accredtiation some time ago. When it receives govt. accreditation, it means that the Ontario govt. kicks in basically the same amount of $$$ per resident.
Most medications etc. are paid, dental care is extra. Dieter did not require much medication, just a basic anti anxiety drug. Allowances for food in a govt. accredited home was $7.35/day per resident, and for that they have to make three meals, 4 snacks, and all drinks. I/we were very fortunate in that I could afford to bring him extras. There were many days where I spent $7-8. on fresh fruit for him. His favourite were blueberries or strawberries. I always had yogurts in his little fridge.
Don't get me wrong. He was as happy as is possible when you can't be at home, the staff at Heidehof are caring, the place is scrupulously clean, and the food, considering the allotted cost is pretty good. Everything is cooked on site, including things like home fries, sausages and sauerkraut, fish and chips etc. There was always a chance to have a second helping for those like Dieter who still had a good appetite. On Fridays our son generally came for lunch and brought either fish and chips or Wendy's burgers. 10 days before he died he ate a burger and had his favourite, a chocolate Frosty.
Unfortunately, most are not as lucky.
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