Improving care for our elderly is only part of the goal. We also must figure out how to make that care available to those who can’t afford to pay for it.

It was wonderful to read in Sunday’s Journal-World that Lawrence-area nursing homes are putting more emphasis on creating pleasant, home-like surroundings for their residents.

Many of the amenities that were described in the story on the J-W Business page are highly desirable and should make for a higher quality of life for the community’s elderly  at least those who can afford such care.

Lawrence has some wonderful care facilities for aging residents, but the reality is that many residents simply can’t afford to pay for such care. Many nursing home residents will exhaust a lifetime of financial resources and end their lives dependent either on a charitable foundation or government Medicaid funding.

Many families will be forced to care for frail elderly relatives at home. Some will do an excellent job; others may grow tired and frustrated with the burden and provide less-than-optimum care.

Long-term care insurance may be an option for some people, but such insurance must be purchased carefully to make sure it covers the kind of care most people will need. The financial uncertainty of growing old often weighs heavily not only on the older person, but on spouses and others who are close to them.

It often is noted that the large, baby-boomer generation is not far from retirement age. That means members of that generation are getting closer to a future that includes assisted care or nursing homes. The sheer numbers of people who will be affected may force changes in how we care for elderly Americans.

The challenge may not be so much to provide high-quality, home-like care as to figure out how to pay for that care for the baby-boomers. Factors such as a higher divorce rate and far-flung families make it likely that the number of people who face their last years without family members close by will increase. The low savings rate nationally also would seem to indicate that many baby boomers won’t be financially prepared for long-term care.

Area nursing homes certainly deserve much credit for the job they try to do. Not only do they provide care and attention to the area’s elderly, but many also have active programs to help finance care for people whose resources are depleted.

There are many levels on which to attack this issue. One is to support programs that help people remain in their own homes. At-home care is far less expensive than nursing home care and allows people to remain in familiar surroundings. Community programs, including recreation and transportation opportunities, also can help people stay in touch and remain more independent.

We as a society have a responsibility to make sure our respected elders receive the care they deserve in the twilight years. Just as we care for children in need, we also must make sure that our aging residents receive the help and attention they need.