Caring for a Growing Senior Population at Home

Between 1946 and 1964, 76 million children were born in the United States. They became known as the “Baby Boomers,” a generation that continues to have a huge impact on American society – particularly on the economic side. For the past six decades, Boomers have been a driving force behind a rapidly changing American economy, and now they are the catalyst shaping an expanding, diverse and changing in-home care industry.

 

The first of the Baby Boomers are now reaching their mid- to late 60s as the United States sits on the cusp of a dramatic shift in population demographics. According to the United States Census Bureau, there are currently about 37 million seniors in the U.S., which accounts for 12 percent of the population. Over the next two decades, that number is expected to grow to more than 70 million, meaning that as the last of the boomers reaches senior status one in five Americans will be over 65 years old.

 

Not only are baby boomers growing older, but they are living longer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the phenomenal rise in life expectancy is due to great medical and public health achievements throughout the 20th Century: more prevalent vaccinations against diseases, improved work places safety, improvements in highway safety and the declining mortality rate from traditionally life-threatening diseases.

 

In-home care has been growing in popularity for some time among Boomers looking to provide care for their own aging parents and relatives. Research suggests that seniors now prefer to stay in their own homes rather than opting to relocate, pushing the demand for home care services to an all-time high.

 

“People today are living longer than previous generations, and the longer we live, the more likely we are to need some help staying independent,” said Jeffrey Taleff, owner of Senior Helpers of Palm Beach and Martin County, a leading local in-home care provider accredited by the Joint Commission and licensed as a Florida Home Health Agency.

 

“Seniors want to live at home where they are safe and comfortable, and we provide the extra pair of hands they need to make that want a reality,” he added.

 

In-home care providers offer as much or as little help as needed for a specific individual to enjoy a high quality of life. These agencies employ professional caregivers to assist in a wide variety of activities, including household chores, bathing and dressing assistance, diet monitoring, transportation, errands and specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

 

But something that in-home care providers are now realizing is that in addition to the care services they provide, they are now taking on an additional role as educators. Those seeking in-home care often don’t know about the different ways to pay for care as an aging parent or family member finds simple acts of daily living more difficult.

 

“Senior care is not an expense that most people think about in their financial planning, and it is absolutely vital to think about these costs in advance and save for it,” Taleff said. “We talk with seniors and their families on a regular basis to make sure they are aware of things like long-term care insurance and other options that can pay for care when it’s time.”

 

There are plenty of options available for both senior care and funding to pay for it, which is why “Education in Aging” has become a daily part of the job for people like Taleff and agencies like Senior Helpers.

 

“We are playing two roles, as an educator and a service provider,” he said. “With each passing year, the population is getting a little bit older and it’s becoming more and more important. In-home care is one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy, and the demand for our services is increasing every day, especially here in South Florida.”