Chapter 30: Economics and Health Care in Later Life Touhy: Ebersole & Hess' Toward Healthy Aging, 9th Edition MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. The original intent of Social Security was to: a. provide a hospital insurance plan. b. minimize the dependency of older members on younger members of society. c. provide the blind, older adult, or disabled with adequate financial support. d. penalize women financially for numerous zero wage years while raising children. ANS: B
The original intent of Social Security was to minimize the dependency of older members of society on younger members. Social Security is not a health insurance plan. It was designed to provide monetary support to persons at a certain age or when blind or disabled. It was not intended to meet all financial needs of the individual. Benefits are provided to individuals who worked or are married to someone who worked the number of years required. DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 407 TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity 2. When an older adult is considering long-term care insurance (LTCI), what is important for the
nurse to encourage the client to consider? a. The older one is when applying, the lower the rates will be b. It is financially better to avoid purchasing LTCI through a group policy c. It is wise to scrutinize all exclusions before enrolling d. All policies cover care at home as well as in a long-term care facility ANS: C
LTCI policies vary, and many have exclusions for specific diseases, for example, Alzheimer’s disease. It is prudent to examine the policy before purchasing. Costs increase as one ages. The best plans are those that are negotiated by a large group such as an employer, state organization, or association. Although policies are becoming more creative, they are traditionally limited to care in a long-term care facility and frequently do not cover care in the home. DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 415 TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity 3. The cost of nursing home care is significant. The primary payer for nursing home care is: a. Medicare. b. Medicaid and private pay. c. Long-term care insurance. d. Medigap insurance. ANS: B
