As some would say, we are reaching the age of wisdom, and are concerned about our care and having a caretaker. Who takes care of you?
That question brings us to the thought of who does take care of us besides who we serve, believe in and worship. As Luke 14:12-14 points out to us, we must care for each other.
Never before has it been so important to us Lancastrians. The population of older adults, seniors in this community has grown 11 out of the 12 years between 2010 and 2022. The 65 and older group was the fastest growing, rising 15.5% in 2010 to 21.8% in 2022.
Most try to live independently each day, no matter how hard that gets to be with the onset of computer technology, cell phone usage, television without antennas, and communication beyond what we thought it could ever be. The thought of AI is also another hindrance to our learning/existence.
And I, yours truly, am now in this group, for I have reached that age, too.
Caring for older adults is a growing concern in the United States, where the population is aging and health care costs for seniors are rising.
According to the Census Bureau, the number of Americans age 65 or older is projected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 73 million by the year 2030.
Lancaster County’s senior population is 21%, while York County’s is only 14.3%.
The life expectancy in the U.S. was 78.8 years in 2019. Therefore, we are living longer and in need of more care each day. And the number of nursing home residents in increasing, too, to 1.35 million in 2016 in the U.S.
The federal government also projects an increase in the number of Americans with certain diseases or impairments such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
As days come and go, more changes come. One day, we remember our bank password, house and car alarm number, phone number, mother’s name, etc., then another day it takes us a minute to remember them.
Well, hope is not lost. There is a way and an agency to provide information, help and resources that will keep us all secure in who we are — the person, the caregiver and the community. I will share the best news that I have heard in a while.
Have you heard of the Catawba Area Agency on Aging (CAAA)? They are life savers. They give us all the relief in knowing that we will be all right. Here’s what they say in their latest circular.
1. Are you helping someone that is over age 60? Then you need their help.
2. Do you care for a relative that may be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s? Then you need their help.
Seniors aged 55 or older can be provided with an advocate to evaluate them to find their greatest need. Priority is given to those with the greatest needs, social and economically, with attention to low-income older adults.
You can reach these caregiver advocates at 803-329-9670 or toll free at 1-800-662-8330. When you call, be ready to give some information.
They will provide you with news of the caregiver support program and details on the application process. They will collaborate with you to discuss your options, partner with you to identify an effective and sustainable long-term solution, while making appropriate referrals for supplemental services.
The Catawba Area Agency on Aging will also provide respite care that gives the caregiver a break with short term support in your home. Other provisions are diapers, wipes, bed pads, etc., reviewing existing benefits and potential new benefits, caregiver training, and care coordination that your loved one will need.
And if you happen to be a person aged 55 or older, and you are the primary care provider for a child 18 or younger, you may qualify for financial reimbursement of caregiving expenses. These may include summer camps, day programs, tutoring, hobbies or interests, afterschool programs, recreational or athletic programs, and parenting classes.
So while you are taking care of whomever, someone is looking out for you. You are important to the whole process.
Many of us find ourselves in this position, sooner rather than later. Along with all of the above mentioned, there are Medicare information specialists who can help us make informed decisions.
Moreover, there is also an ombudsman, who will serve as an advocate for people in long-term care facilities to uphold their rights and improve their quality of life.
Knowing this makes it possible for all of us to breathe a breath of fresh air as we commit to helping those who need it in our families or in this community.
The CAAA’s mission statement “The CAAA, in partnership with citizens, families and their diverse communities will assist older adults in the Catawba region with aging issues to improve the quality of their lives.”
That is plenty for me. I am thankful and I hope you are too.
