Changing Aging

Who will care for you or the one you love?  Could it be older Americans?  Could they help you stay more independent?

In our Age Wave Study, most boomers said they aren’t going to retire, but they’re going to do something that they enjoy, that has purpose and keeps them connected to others.  That could be working in aging services.

Today about 20% of American adults needing care assistance are unable to find either paid or voluntary help, according to a 2006 study by the International Longevity Center-USA, a nonprofit research policy organization in New York City.  According to the Center, demand for home health aides during the next decade is expected to increase by more than 50%.

Can older workers fill this gap?  Shari Roan in the L.A. Times shares a story today of Silverado Senior Living, a California-based company that provides hospice, home care and assisted living with a specialty in memory care, that is already turning to older care workers.  At Silverado, 12% of its paid employees are over age 55.  Many have flexible schedules that allow for extended time off if, for example, they want to travel or have health needs of their own.

According to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, seniors who have a caregiver have a five times better chance of remaining in their homes.  Also, if you have a caregiver, you have human interaction, which is critical to living fully.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 3rd, 2008 at 10:41 am and is filed under Age Wave, Assisted Living, Changing Aging, Vital Successful Aging, baby boomers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.