senior man in wheelchair with happy caregiver daughter

Looking Ahead: How Elder Care Will Change in the Next Decade

This looming pandemic is very revealing of a couple of things. One, everything has changed, and two, we’ll never be the same.

If you handle care for an older family member, all this is all too true for elder care. 

Senior living facilities provide optimum care for elder individuals when their families can’t. Seniors get help whenever they need it, especially when it comes to medical management. Don’t worry about them getting bored with all the free time that comes with retirement. 

Living communities provide activities to keep seniors active and having fun. Their social life doesn’t end because they’re not living at home anymore. 

Are you worried about what happens when baby boomers make up the bulk of the senior population? Here’s how elder care might evolve during this next era.

Future Population of Elder Care

There’re an estimated 73 million baby boomers in the US population. Most of them are between the ages of 56 to 74 years of age. 

That means within the next 14 years or so, baby boomers will take over the senior population. When that happens, the senior populous will be the largest group in the US aside from Millennials. 

What does that say about senior living?

Sadly, the second quarter of 2020 spelled out a record low for senior living housing occupancies. That means Generation X needs to financially prepare to take care of the parents at home.

The Rise of In-Home Care

We are forever changed by the current pandemic. With the recent second wave of rising cases, normal is no longer in the near future. 

For love and compassion’s sake, family members are opting to care for their seniors at home. No one wants their family member to get gravely sick from COVID in a facility and not be able to see them.

That calls for a rise in in-home care. 

A professional health care provider comes into the home for a few hours to 24 hours as needed. They help seniors with activities like bathing, dressing, and taking medications. They can also help with general things like housework and companionship. 

Respite care is available as well. 

Accepting Change

The best way to prepare for these fast-evolving changes is to start embracing them now. Families and facilities must accept this new norm and start making way for different avenues of care. 

Implementing technology that advances the continuation of care at home for seniors. Hire more in-home care professionals to help with the growing number of seniors. 

Families should begin to embrace the idea of sharing space in their homes with a medical professional. Of course, they’ll be questions to ask, but it’s best to prepare for the change. 

Look Ahead to the Future of Senior Care 

Elder care may have its exclusivity to a certain age group, but we’ll all experience in this life. Contemplate these considerations as the world braces for the future of caring for seniors.

We’d like to share more info like this with you. Check out our culture guide for the latest in lifetime tips and ideas.  

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