According to Bankrate’s July 2021 Emergency Savings Survey, “more than half of Americans (or 51 percent) have less than three months’ worth of expenses covered in an emergency fund, according to Bankrate’s July 2021 Emergency Savings Survey. That total includes 1 in 4 Americans (or 25 percent) who indicate having no emergency fund at all — up from 21 percent in 2020.” In addition, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), about half of households age 55 and older have no retirement savings (such as in a 401(k) plan or an IRA). U.S. Government Accountability Office. “Retirement Security: Most Households Approaching Retirement Have Low Savings.” Feb. 12, 2020. These are unsettling statistics. Most alarming is imagining these statistics in the context of unexpected healthcare challenges. Social determinants of health is the most recent jargon in healthcare that brings light into these issues. Of course, social determinants of health identifies multiple variables; some are low hanging requiring short term interventions, and others are deep and complex requiring long-term solutions. Regardless, these are needs that if unmet, cycles to the carousel of pain, sorrow, and hopelessness.
Liminal Health Foundation provides transitional care support to patients and/or individuals impacted by recent illnesses and other healthcare emergencies who were recently discharged from hospital, long-term acute care facility (LTAC), or skilled nursing facility (SNF). We focus on social determinants of health such as, access to: discharge home medications, transportation for follow-up clinic visits, food and groceries, medical equipment and supplies, home visiting nurses, SW, CNA, PT/OT, speech therapy services, and housing.