The elderly population comprises about 14.5 percent of the total U.S. population at this moment. As you probably already know, this number has expanded quite a bit in recent years, and it continues to do so. By the year 2030, experts believe that there will be more than 74 million elderly folks in the U.S. If the population as a whole keeps moving in the direction that it has been, with this rapid change in the senior population, the percentage of elderly individuals living in the United States could eventually surpass 20 percent.
Those are large numbers, and while they are hypothetical numbers at this point, there is a very strong chance that this could become a reality. Many companies and individuals have realized that there is a huge potential for profit in this demographic, and many of them use the above referenced numbers (or some variation of the same data), to act as a scare tactic, pressuring people into purchasing their product or service. This is usually some sort of scam, one that targets an already vulnerable population. Knowing what things will help improve the efficiency of a loved one’s care is important, and when done right, this can really save your family money. However, many of the examples that we are seeing now, and many that will continue to emerge in the coming years, are just senior scams.
For example, manufacturers of wearable technology are stressing how helpful their products can be for improving senior health. In many cases, this isn’t really new technology at all. We’ve already seen the emergency alert bracelets become equipped with data service and GPS so that they work outside of the home. This is a huge leap forward when it comes to keeping people safe, but it only does so much. Other wearable tech products, such as those that measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels, devices that measure physical activity have benefits, but only if the person using them knows how to use them and is committed to doing so. These might be helpful for some people, but certainly not for all. If you are thinking about purchasing such a device for an elderly loved one, make sure that there will actually be a benefit to doing so. Otherwise, you are just wasting money on something the will not bring any additional value to their lives. This might not be a scam, but it’s still a needless waste.
The bottom line is that there is the potential for a senior care crisis to occur. Steps have already been taken to prevent this from happening on a national scale, and hopefully they are more than enough to keep anyone from receiving the care that they deserve. There are also many things that you can do to protect the individuals in your family from this. By acting early, figuring out what type of care is best for your loved one, and looking for realistic ways to save money, you can avoid any potential senior care crisis from impacting your family in a negative way.
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