If you type “things that seniors worry about” into Google, you’re going to get a lot of different answers. However, one of the big things that impacts almost all seniors, and one of the most widely written about topics on the internet in this area, is finances. Seniors–and their family members–are concerned about how they are going to pay for things as they age.
Here are a few of the big concerns that many seniors and their families experience, along with some potential ways to overcome them.
One of the big things that seniors worry about is access to care. This is a big issue, but one that has seen progress over the past few decades. Better availability of public insurance like Medicare and Medicaid, telehealth, and community organizations have all helped to advance this area, but there are still disparities.
Along with this concern comes paying for care. It’s no secret that things are getting more expensive right now–have you gone grocery shopping recently?! The cost of living is going up, and the cost of care isn’t excluded from this. Some of the things listed above have helped to rectify this, but only partially. A lot of seniors are being hit hard in this area.
Loneliness is another major concern that a lot of seniors face. As we get older friends and family move or pass away and it can get harder to get around. Socializing isn’t quite as easy as it used to be. A lot of seniors find themselves in situations where they are spending more and more time alone. It takes a toll on both mental and physical health, making things like better care become more necessary.
Another concern is transportation. Just because someone is older doesn’t mean that the need for getting around disappears. Someone who depended on friends and family will find that they are negatively impacted for the same reasons that loneliness played a role in their life. As we age, there are often fewer connections in our lives. But other factors play a role here, too. Someone that struggles with a disability or cognitive decline will find that it’s no longer safe for them to drive like they once did. It might even be tough to leave the house.
There are a few different solutions to the transportation issue. The first has been given to us by the pandemic–virtual visits. Whether you’re meeting with a doctor or talking with a family member, using virtual meeting tools like Zoom or Facetime can make distances disappear.
The second solution is taking advantage of public transportation, especially Medicaid transportation. A lot of states provide medical transportation for those that have Medicaid. Talking with a social worker can be a good idea if this is something that you’d like to learn more about.
Finally, in-home care can help with transportation and other things on this list. It gives seniors better access to care, allows for social interaction, and can even help out with transportation. This is just a brief blog post, but feel free to reach out with any questions you might have regarding this.
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