Aging Trends

• The number of Baby Boomers in America is estimated to be 78.2 million and the first Baby Boomers will be turning 65 in 2011. By the year 2020, the over-65 population is expected double.
  (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Older Americans Update 2006: Key Indicators of Well-Being. Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office May 2006).
• In 2006, there were nearly 500 million people age 65 and older worldwide. By 2030, it is projected to increase to 1 billion or 1 in every 8 of the earth's residents.
  ("Why Population Aging Matters- A Global Perspective," National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of State, March 2007).
• Globally, and for the first time in recorded history, it will soon be the case that older people will outnumber children under age 5.

Medical/Living Conditions

• Older men and women are participating in the labor force significantly more than in the past. The labor force participation rates for men age 65 to 69 increased 25 percent in 1993 to 34 percent in 2005. The labor force participation rates for women increased from 14 percent in 1985 to 24 percent in 2005.
  (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Older Americans Update 2006: Key Indicators of Well-Being. Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office May 2006).
• A recent AARP survey found that a significant majority of Americans over the age of 50 say that as they retire, they would prefer to "age in place," by either staying in their current home or moving to one nearby.
  (AARP's "2005 State of 50+ America Survey")

Caregiving

• People are living longer and having fewer children. There is a rising concern that people will have less family support as they age.
  (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Older Americans Update 2006: Key Indicators of Well-Being. Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office May 2006).
• The value of the services family caregivers provide for "free" is estimated to be $306 billion a year. That is almost twice as much as is actually spent on homecare and nursing home services combined ($158 billion).

Caregiver Hints

• Senior Housing
  • When you need to make important decisions about senior housing, knowledge is everything.  Whether driven by health considerations, or simply a lifestyle choice, finding the right senior housing option for yourself or a loved one can be a challenge.
  • Visit NAELA's website or download their Educational Booklet on Senior Housing, to learn more about assessing your needs and other very important housing factors.
• Budgeting from the Sidelines
  • As a caregiver, you want to be able to give your loved one as much independence as they need and want.  Mint.com (along with other online services) allows an individual to register anonymously to set up links to their checking account, bills, and credit cards. Sign up your loved one, and sit back as email or text alerts warn you of low balances, low available credit, and when bills are due- all while still allowing your loved ones to stay in charge of their own budget.
• Meals: From Weekly Planning to A Day on the Town
  • Make sure to keep your loved one involved with chosing a nutritious diet that remains tasty, yet easy to prepare or defrost. Sit down and work together on a grocery list, then visit coupon sites like Redplum or SmartSource to save money each week!  Planning ahead to use coupons can be a fun contribution that your loved can provide.
  • Meals in a local restaurant or cafe can often provide welcome relief, either on your own or as quality time with your loved one. Get discount coupons at Restaurant. Com or Entertainment.com and save more!
• Gas Guzzling
  • Short trips to the local store or doctor offices can add up quick, especially at the gas station! Visit Gasbuddy.com for an easy guide to local deals and prices.
• Take Advantage of Local Libraries and Seminars
  • Most Libraries now have Large Print Books available, as well as Books on Tape or Audio Books. These can work wonders for patrons who have trouble focusing on text for long periods, or who prefer to listen to stories- in the car or at home.
  • Many Libraries now also carry free DVD movies and other services, as well as provide free educational seminars on various subjects. In areas like Hudson and Summit County, several Libraries have even encorporated small Coffee Shops inside their buildings, providing a quiet, safe environment for an afternoon spent outside of the house.
• Prescription Drugs and Incontinent Supplies
  • Take care to have a list of your loved one's prescriptions with you at all times! Having a list easily available can be invaluable during an emergency, especially if the information needs to be quickly relayed to a third party, such as a doctor or other family member. Download our Important Information Quicklist to make your own prescription card!
  • The cost of prescription drugs is enough to make anyone cringe, these days. Visit Pillbot.com or Pharmacychecker.com to sort through prices, and make sure you are getting the best deals! Also make sure to check with your insurance provider. Many services include 3 month prescriptions with home delivery options.
  • Incontinent Supplies (also known as adult diapers) can be a true hassle- both for the folks who have to wear them, and for the folks who have to keep them in stock. Services like HDIS make the experience a little easier, offering a home delivery service for the product.
• Phone Access
  • For older hands and eyes, it can be a real pain to attempt to memorize and dial a phone number- at times, even hitting a pre-programed button to dial can be too much. Yet keeping in contact via phone can be an unescapable necessity, especially in emergencies.
  • Phones like the LG Migo from Verizon Wireless have a simplified design that cuts down on confusion, and has easy-to-press buttons. Though the bright green phone (easy to spot in any room!) was originally designed for children, we think its perfect for your older loved ones as well! 
    • The LG Migo comes with a super simplified keypad: 4 programable speed-dial buttons, and a fifth button that directly connects with emergency services.
    • The phone can also come with Verizon’s optional Chaperon service, which lets caregivers track the phone in real time (on their own handset or computer). This can be especially important if your loved one has ocassional bouts of confusion, when out on walks or errands.
    • Other features include owner controls that limit outgoing and incoming calls, and how many minutes can be used. No more worries about surprise phone bills, and no more solicitation or telemarketer calls either!
    • This neat little gadget also comes with an integrated "booming speakerphone" for loud, clear, and automatic communication- one click to connect.
  • Philips Lifeline provides access to help, 24 hours a day
    • The #1 medical alert service, Philips Lifeline is easy-to-use and designed to reduce the risk of living alone. In the event of a fall or an emergency, help is available at the push of a button. The Lifeline Personal Help Button connects you to a trained Personal Response Associate, who can send help quickly- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Calling all Grandparents!
  The internet is full of helpful hints, not just for caregivers but for the ones they care for as well.  Sites like          www.Grandparents.com are excellent resources that help give the whole family ideas on 'age friendly' presents, popular recipies, fun (and low cost) activities, and much more! Everyone benefits from quality time with Grandma and Grandpa, especially during the Holidays.  This site also has Chat Groups you can join to share ideas and stories about In-Laws and other aspects of life.  It also has directions for quick and easy projects, for any age group!  What you do together today, your children and grandchildren will remember forever.