Author: agsvdp

A blog on Poverty and aging

Caregiving and Its impact

The increasing aging population in America will have a significant impact, on the economic status of: aging baby boomers, our nation, and our local communities (Kingson, 2007). Older women on average are twice as likely than men to live in poverty (Administration on aging, 2008); the poverty rate among older black and Latina women are especially high. Older adults caring for grandchildren ‘kinship care’ also, increases the risk of poverty for both men and women.

Nineteen percent of the 2.4 million grandparents in the U.S. are raising grandchildren, who live with them; 29 % are 60 years and older and are living in poverty (Kingson, 2007). The increase in our older population is because of tremendous advancements in the field of medical and health care. Americans are living longer consequently, the number of older adults with disabilities and in need of medical care will also increase accordingly, putting an undue strain on Medicare and Social Security benefits.

It is estimated that four of every five older Americans are living with at least one chronic condition and 48% of Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older have three or more chronic conditions and 21% have five or more (Norris, et al, 2008). The Likelihood of these older Americans who will need long-term care (LTC), increases substantially as they get older and the cost for these services are likely to grow as well. More importantly, 73% of Medicare recipients residing in LTC facilities, have two or more chronic medical conditions  (Norris, et al, 2008) which has a direct effect on their standards of living. Substance abuse and depression are very common among the baby boomer generation. They are at a higher risk of committing suicide, especially for white men age 65 and older. In addition, prescription drug abuse is an invisible epidemic among the elderly and one of the fastest growing health problems in America today (Administration on aging, 2008; Wheeler, McClain, A. et al, 2015). What are your thoughts?

by

Marie Placide

References:

Administration on aging, (2008). Snapshot:A statistical profile of older Americans age 65+. In Wheeler, D. P.,McClain, A. et al(Eds) Social work speaks (10^th ed. 1.05 p. 355).Washington D.C.:The nasw press.

Aging and wellness. In Wheeler, D. P.,McClain, A. et al(Eds) (2015). Social work speaks (10^th ed. 1.05 p. 355).Washington D.C.:The nasw press.

Kingson, E.R. (2007). Perspectives on the economic implications of aging baby boomers. In Schaie, W. & Uhlenberg (Eds.), Social structures: Demographic chanes and the well-being of older persons (pp.91-114). Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.library.capella.edu/lib/capella/reader.action?docID=10176165&ppg=105

Norris, S. L., High, K., Gill, T. M., Hennessy, S., Kutner et al. (2008). Health care for older American with multiple chronic conditions: A research agenda. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 56(1), 149-159.

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