The number of seniors in America is skyrocketing, just as the number of available family members per seniors is declining
This poses a caregiver conundrum for a lot of people. 50 years ago, it was easy. As parents or grandparents aged, their nearby family members would take care of them. Now, families are having fewer children. As Baby Boomers reach seniority, we have a storm a-brewing.
Caregiving 101
From Google, “a caregiver is a family member or paid helper who regularly looks after a child or a sick, elderly, or disabled person.” Being a caregiver is no simple task. Anyone who’s acted as one already knows, it takes a village. So even for families who have an available child or grandchild to help out, caregiver burnout is frequent. Caregiving involves a fundamental balancing act. When there are too many decision makers with competing opinions of the best way to take care of mom or dad, conflict occurs. It’s messy and delicate, all at once.
A need we can’t ignore
Aging alone is becoming more and more frequent. We talk a lot about ‘aging well’ as part of the national conversation. Part of this conversation now has to include aging out of isolation. At NShore, we call the phenomenon the growing problem of senior orphans in America. Senior orphans are simply aging adults with no nearby family members to help take care of them. This can even include married couples who are unable to take care of each other comprehensively. Without a proper support network, these individuals are at serious risk. Further, aging alone can lead to serious health risks. In these instances, we see greater levels of breast cancer, heart disease, and depression.
A future we fight for
Still, senior orphans aren’t alone. Of course, as RN patient advocates, we’re available to step in to help anyway we can. Even just to coordinate care as neutral 3rd parties, advocates can reduce medical error and help improve health outcomes. We also see support from volunteers, spiritual peers, care managers, and social workers. Help is out there, you just need to know where to look.
As always, feel free to contact NShore Patient Advocates with questions or concerns. We’re here for you.
