Seniors ETC Predicts Top Trends For Caregiving in 2008
Summary: With the senior population growing
at a record setting pace, caregiving will become one
of the most talked about issues. Seniors ETC, an in-home
care company, offers top trends for caregiving in 2008,
and offers advice to today’s audience that suddenly
finds themselves in a caregiving role.
Denver, CO (PRWEB) January 7, 2008 – Currently
over 20 million baby boomers are caring for their elderly
parents on a part or full time basis, with dramatic annual
increases forecast. Along with caregiving, these same
baby boomers are raising a family, working full time,
and saving for retirement themselves. What issues will
this generation face over the coming years?
By 2010, over 40 million Americans will be over the
age of 65. A vast majority of them will either find themselves
in a caregiving role, or requiring care. And the issues
and choices they will face are often overwhelming, and
in some cases almost impossible to find answers for.
But with that brings in opportunities for new businesses
and services.
Top concerns for caregivers in 2008 will be:
Adult Day Care
According to the National Adult Day Services Association,
there are more than 3,500 centers nationwide helping
more than 150,000 Americans each day. These centers can
provide social activity; offer transportation, meals
and snacks; help with personal care; and supply therapeutic
activities such as exercise and mental interaction.
Opportunity exists in the future to provide even more
services of interest to seniors, which will allow peace
of mind for their working caregivers.
In Home Care
As the population ages, the desire to help families
and friends remain in their homes for as long as possible,
or “age in place”, has created a dynamic
industry and opportunities for home care and health care
workers.
Three levels of in-home care are available: professional
or skilled health care to help with medical needs after
surgery or through rehabilitation; supportive health
care for people who need help with daily living items
such as bathing, toileting or continence; and companion
services for items like light housekeeping, meal preparation
and transportation.
According to a study by MetLife of in-home caregiving
concerns, over 1.3 million people were receiving some
type of support in order to remain in their homes, and
over 75 percent were living on a full time basis with
their primary caregiver during the year 2000. This is
one of the largest areas of expected growth because of
the demand for being able to age in place.
Financial Assistance
The Silent Generation, or those born between 1933 and
1945 are bringing around a new way of looking at retirement.
While they were born and raised to be fiscally conservative
and employed at a time when many expected and received
lifetime pensions, they are also learning from the Baby
Boomers to value their lifestyles and independence.
With the Baby Boomers and future generations, no longer
is pension and guaranteed retirement income within their
grasp. Not only will the elderly be more strapped with
rising costs, so will their caregivers face financial
concerns related to their caregiving role.
Caregiving currently ranges anywhere from in-home companion
costs of around $18 per hour, to adult day care fees
of $61 per day, to hundreds or even thousands of dollars
per month for assisted living facilities. As the costs
mount up, financial creativity will become the norm.
Future trends will see creative financial planning that
will continue to allow existing funds to grow, yet also
fund immediate living and healthcare needs. Things like
reverse mortgages will become even more popular.
Employer Care Packages
According to the National Family Caregivers Association,
more than 50 million people provide care for a chronically
ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during
any given year. And because a great majority of these
caregivers are also holding down a full time job, the
effects on employers are changing as well.
Employers are now offering family leave for time needed
to deal with a sick family member. They are also beginning
to offer seminars as a resource for working caregivers,
and finding ways to be more flexible with their employees’ time.
About Seniors Etc, Inc.
Seniors ETC, Inc. provides high quality, affordable,
in-home adult care services for families throughout
the Rocky Mountain Region. It offers a full range of
in home companion care services, including support
after surgery or rehab; companion care for a parent,
spouse or loved one; respite care; and hospice support.
Seniors ETC, Inc. ensures each care provider has passed
a national screening investigation. Companion caregivers
may be a Certified Nursing Assistant, an LPN, a RN,
or someone who has experience working with people in
a care-giving environment.
To learn about Seniors ETC, Inc visit
http://www.seniorsetc.com
For more information:
Jonnelle Leimbach
President, Seniors ETC
720.529.1211
www.seniorsetc.com
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