Most of us have not given much thought to how we will take care of aging parents because we never expected to be responsible for the care of our mothers or fathers. The good news is people are actually living longer than they did 50 years ago. So, many of us may find ourselves under the physical, emotional, and financial strains of being elder caregivers. Statistics indicate that more than 22 million families must care for their elders and that number continues to grow as the elderly population increases.
Profiles of caregivers reveal that forty percent of those who care for elders are also parents of children under 18. These individuals are sandwiched between time and resources to provide for the needs of aging relatives and growing children. Hence they are labeled the "sandwich generation." About two-thirds of caregivers are women, with one-third over the age of 65. Sixty-four percent are also employed outside the home.
Financial analysts assess that interference of elder care responsibilities cost American businesses between $11-29 billion annually due to the loss of productivity and absenteeism from the job. Families also undergo financial strains in an attempt to balance work and the care of aging friends and relatives. While the feelings of being needed and appreciated by a loved one can be psychologically rewarding, caregivers often feel they need help in the struggle. Where can families turn for assistance? The United States Administration on Aging has developed the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116), a free nationwide directory assistance service to help elders and eldercare providers find local support services to help them live independently in their own community. Other agencies and services are highlighted in the paragraphs that follow.
The Area Agency on Aging is a nationwide network of state and local programs offering information and referrals for in-home services, counseling, legal services, adult daycare, skilled nursing care/therapy, transportation, personal care, respite care, nutrition, and meals.
Assisted living facilities provide residential arrangements that include meals, housekeeping, transportation, personal care, and health services. Such arrangements provide a way for independent elders to maintain his or her independent lifestyles. Generally, these arrangements involve a regular monthly rent plus additional fees for services.
Normally open weekdays, adult daycare facilities such as senior centers offer a mixture of health, social, and support services. Many offer therapeutic and rehabilitative activities as well. For elders who are relatively independent, programs such as congregate meals and companion-ship services are also available to lend assistance and support. Companionship services provide visits to isolated and homebound elders offering conversation, reading, and services for light errands. Through congregate meal programs nutritious meals are available to seniors Monday thru Friday in senior centers, community centers, schools, and churches. Information on local agencies that offer in-home meal services such as Meals on Wheels can be obtained at the toll-free ElderCare Locator number.
When the elderly can no longer function independently, custodial care or personal care services may be required. Such care helps individuals meet personal needs such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other non-medical care. A professional is not required for these types of services. Medicare does not pay for custodial care and Medicaid only pays a minimal amount.
State-licensed nursing homes provide residences, meals, and nursing care to chronically ill or disabled seniors who can no longer take care of his or her daily needs. Most nursing homes are Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities that provide skilled nursing care and/or rehabilitation services. Expenses for nursing home care, on the other hand, are generally paid through the Medicaid program. Medicaid is a joint federal/state program that pays for health care for limited resource families and eligibility requirements varying by states. People over 65 may also receive limited nursing and short-term home health services through the federal Medicare program. Medicare coverage is restricted to medical care, and does not include expenses for prescriptions, at home custodial care, or nursing home care.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System launched the Successful Aging Initiative in 2002 to provide information and services to support aging gracefully. The initiative represents a partnership between Extension's Urban Affairs unit and Alabama's Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry. Educational summits and outreach are implemented across the state to support a mutually beneficial agenda to better serve the aging population with legal, health, and financial information through collaboration. For more information on the Successful Aging Initiative contact Attorney Kevin Crenshaw at (256) 372-4939.
AFL-CIO. (2004). Elder care. Retrieved September 23, 2004, from http://www.aflcio.org/familyfunresources/elders/.
Alabama Public Television. (2004). Elder care. That Money Show. Retrieved September 23, 2004, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/moneyshow/cover/050401.html.
Aging Solutions. (2004). Aging parents and elder care. Retrieved September 23, 2004, http://www.aging-parents-and-elder-care.com/Pages/Elders_Care.html.