I wanted to post about this before I begin reading/listening to the news and lose my train of thought. There is in Appalachia still the assumption that you have family to look after you, esp. if you become ill or as you get older. But I'm seeing more and more older people who are on their own (with their family living way elsewhere) or otherwise alone. These folks seem to be "falling through the cracks" of society here, since it IS so tribal and ESP. if they are not church-goers, another supposed bulwark of our social system. Since I ride transit and keep my ears open, albeit involuntarily at times, I have stepped in in a number of times to provide what support I could. But this needs to be addressed as a societal issue here. I'm only one person and can only do so much.
This is something I noticed when I tried getting help here in northwest GA. The "system" seems to assume and expect you to have an extended network of people who will help you, which I didn't have. My opinion is that they should assume and expect just the opposite.
The the end of "family Values" began with "vote with your feet".
I agree, it used to be a family responsibility, but no longer. People take jobs all over the country and it's not so easy to relocate and sacrifice your job in order to take care of your mom or dad. It must be really scary for some with no backup system in place. I view this as part of the bigger problem with health care here in the US. Other countries take much better care of their citizens than our 3rd world country does.
Todays society is no longer what it used to be. Large families to take care of elders cannot afford to exist and our republican wealthy class do not seem interested in the elders only money. Educated must move to the jobs these days which leaves broken families. I never lived near my home once I joined the Marines and never lived in my parents home again.