The demographics of the world’s population are changing. Overall, the population is much older than it was 50 years ago. Thanks to the generation born after the end of the Second World War–the Baby Boomer Generation–there are more people aged 65 and older in the U.S. and throughout the world than at any point before in history.
In some countries, it is estimated that more than a quarter of the population will be aged 65 or older by the year 2050. Some countries are reportedly putting together incentives for younger individuals to get married or have children to help encourage the population to “grow younger.” It still remains to be seen if these things will work, but one thing is certain: if nothing is done, there will be a lot of elderly people in need without an adequate care structure in place to help meet their needs.
As populations change, the care infrastructure will change too. There’s always a need for caregivers and other professionals in our industry, but the right numbers of caregivers and services are necessary in order for all seniors in need to be assisted.
The numbers suggest that there’s a growing need for senior care. The current system suggests that there’s not enough out there when it comes to the resources to meet that potential demand. So what’s the answer?
New structures and new approaches.
This is why in-home care is so essential to the continued wellbeing of our older loved ones. In-home care has the potential to meet seniors where they are and give them the help that they need. It is not really a new structure when it comes to meeting care needs–in-home care has been around for a really long time. However, it hasn’t been widely utilized or publicized because of how prevalent the nursing home model has been. Since COVID, it’s pretty clear that other systems also need to be utilized beyond this.
Re-thinking how we approach senior care as a society is going to help even more people. It doesn’t mean other systems need to disappear. It just means that we need to take into account more people’s needs and take the steps to meet them.
Senior care can and should look different for different situations. What works for one family won’t necessarily work for another. That means that you can’t just base your senior care decisions on what has worked for others. You will need to take a look at your own unique situation and decide on the best way for how to meet those needs. The nursing home model might be ideal for some people. But not everyone.
We can help your family. Our caregivers are happy to talk with you and help you go over your options. If you find yourself looking for senior care options or unsure where to start, our free consultation session is for you. Give us a call to schedule your conversation now. The senior care process can be tough and stressful–our hope is to make that process a lot easier.
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