At Americare, we know that no matter how old you or your loved one may be, it’s never too early to create a care plan. Whether you’re researching in-home companion care for yourself or an aging loved one, or you simply want to know your options, it’s important to plan ahead. This is especially true given that more of us are living longer, and many seniors are doing so alone, making in-home care an even more important resource. Keep reading to learn about some important statistics, how the need for home companion care is becoming more essential, and what you might expect as you plan for a safe and satisfying older age.
We’re Living Longer
A long, healthy life is what we all aspire to, and the good news is more Americans are enjoying just that! Life expectancy has grown over the decades, and today, there’s a good chance the average 60-year-old man or woman will live to see their 80th birthday. But living longer can mean unique challenges for seniors, their families, and society. While globally, multi-generational households are the normal living arrangement for people 60 and older – nearly four in ten older adults live in this type of arrangement — just 6% of 60+ Americans live this way. In fact, according to a recent Pew Research Center report:
- 27% of US adults ages 60+ live alone
- 46% share a home with only their spouse or partner
Today, 12M Americans 60 and older live alone. And while living alone as a senior can be and often is an enjoyable way to reside, for many older Americans, it’s not optimal. In fact, there are numerous reasons why a senior adult may find themselves living alone other than by choice:
- A spouse’s death
- Divorce
- No children
- No living family
- No family nearby
Whatever the reason, when a senior lives alone, they can face numerous challenges that should not be ignored.
Living Alone Can Be Dangerous
As we’ve discussed, living alone as a senior is not uncommon, but it can lead to unfortunate situations. For example, loneliness and isolation can result in seniors not eating well or enough, can mean basic hygiene going unattended, and can result in new or worsening symptoms of illness or disease going unnoticed. Tripping hazards may be left unchecked, medications may be ignored or taken at the wrong times, and seniors may fall prey to scams or unscrupulous individuals because they have no one to watch out for them.
The fact is, as people age, the likelihood of sustaining age-related injury, illness, or complications grows. The good news is professional in-home companion care, like that provided by the compassionate Americare team, can be the answer. Our trained and vetted caregivers address a host of needs through a suite of services that include:
- Companionship care
- Personal care
- Overnight care
- Respite care
- Memory care
- Veteran care
- And more!
Our expert services allow seniors to remain safely and happily at home while providing much-needed relief to family members who may otherwise handle caregiving on their own.
A Preference for Aging in Place
While many seniors may not choose to live alone, most seniors prefer to age in place or to live at home for as long as possible. This decision can be influenced by a number of factors, such as long-term care options for seniors outside the home being prohibitively expensive for many Americans, which makes aging in place a highly desirable goal. But even if cost weren’t a factor, for most of us, home is where the heart is, and this is especially true for seniors, who likely have decades of memories made in their homes.
In fact, research suggests that many older adults want to remain in their homes for as long as possible:
- 90% of seniors say they plan to remain in their homes for the next 5 to 10 years.
- 87% of adults aged 65+ want to stay in their current homes and communities as they age.
- 75% of people over age 50 want to stay in their homes or communities for as long as possible.
Still, while aging in place might be the first choice, it can be complicated by factors like solitude, illness, physical challenges, and more; in fact, the number of seniors requiring additional care due to chronic illness and other issues is projected to increase from 14% in 2010 to 21% by 2050.
The Sandwich Generation
At the same time that more Americans are getting older and living longer, many adult children are part of what’s referred to as the “sandwich generation,” those caught between providing care for their elderly parents while raising their own families. Today, more than half of Americans in their 40s are part of this demographic, and while it can be an incredibly satisfying group to be part of, it does have its challenges. Family caregivers of an elderly loved one often feel stressed and pressed for time. It can be a struggle to balance the needs of spouses and children with those of an aging parent. Americare’s respite care is the answer.
We can pair you up with one of our skilled caregivers who can step in and offer help with things like meal prep, light housework, transportation, companionship, and more, so you’ll have the free time you need to take care of yourself. Respite care is one of the most important in-home care services we have to offer, and we’re exceptionally proud of how our compassionate and respectful providers deliver it.
We’re Here to Care for You or Your Loved One
Older age should be a time of reflection and relaxation. It should be your time, or your loved one’s time, to feel safe and secure and to know that should you need help, it’s there!
Americare’s caregiving services are here to offer aging adults the opportunity to stay in their homes while receiving additional support tailored to meet their needs, whether it’s weekly or daily visits, short- or long-term help, overnight care, or simply a friendly companionship visit during the afternoon. Our caregivers are trained to help with daily and long-term tasks like nutrition management, light housework, medication reminders, medical communication, transportation, and much more. We know the difference that quality in-home care can make when it’s delivered by providers who really do care!
If you’re interested in learning more about Americare’s comprehensive suite of in-home care services, reach out to our care team today to get started!