And most middle-class people will have to pay for home care themselves if they will need it for the long haul. After a fall or surgery, some older people will need short-term care at home from a nurse or therapist to help them recover. Medicare, the federal insurance program for those 65 and over, typically pays for this kind of home health care. They need a home health aide or personal care assistant, who may not have much, if any, medical training. A wide range of services are available, whether it’s light housekeeping or hiring a private-duty nurse.

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Persons: Monica Moreno Organizations: Medicare, Alzheimer’s Association