One of the nation’s largest disabilities groups, American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today or ADAPT, held a live demonstration yesterday in Chicago. According to WGN News, the protest was held in front of the headquarters of the American Medical Association (AMA).

ADAPT is known throughout the country for their demonstrations, but is also recognized for their legislative policy advocacy, grassroots education and mobilization efforts. This was very similar to the demonstration held in Washington, DC a while back that I had the privilege to witness. This particular protest however was held in part to demand better patient healthcare rights. The WGN news clip would suggest that physicians prematurely institutionalize seniors and people with disabilities rather than finding ways for people to live independently at home.

Watching this video clip though, brings me to a few relevant points of interest. Keeping people living at home independently not only enhances their quality of life, but also provides significant financial savings back to insurance and/or federal programs. Why?

  • Changes in power wheelchair technology have made it possible for people with mobility impairments to pass through most doorways in their own home unassisted. The results of these changes give seniors and people living with disabilities the ability to rely less on a caregiver and the freedom to carry out their own activities of daily living;
  • According to a report issued by the Alliance for Aging Research and Dr. Jack Guralnik with the National Institutes of Health, the total average annual costs of care for a person who remains independent for the year is $4,800. The total average cost of a person who lost independence during the year and needed help with daily activities is $36,000. The additional costs of medical and long term care each year due to lost independence is $26 Billion.
  • National Center for Health Statistics reports that the average length of stay in a nursing home/institutional setting is 568 days.
  • RRC, a renowned economics group conducted an outcome study of Medicare data which shows that by providing mobility equipment to senior citizens, Medicare actually saves enough to cover the cost of the equipment plus an average $10,887 over a two-year period. These benefits do not even include non-Medicare costs such as nursing home expenses.

Hats off to every organization fighting for disability rights across the country. The vitally active role we all play in educating the public today the better off our society will be tomorrow.