Caregivers Spend More Than They Thought on Aging Family Members

A new, in-depth study of the costs of caregiving reveals that Americans spend far more to care for aging parents and spouses than was previously thought, according to an article in the New York Times. The telephone survey of 1,000 individuals, conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving, was the first to take a detailed look at the many Americans who sacrifice savings, entertainment and even their own healthcare to care for aging family members.

"The out-of-pocket cost of caring for an aging parent or spouse averages about $5,500 a year, according to the nation’s first in-depth study of such expenses, a sum that is more than double previous estimates and more than the average American household spends annually on health care and entertainment combined.

Family members responsible for ailing loved ones provide not only “hands on” care but often reach into their own pockets to pay for many other expenses of care recipients, including groceries, household goods, drugs, medical co-payments and transportation. That nudges the average cost of providing long-distance care to $8,728 a year." To read more, please go here.

SimplyHome

Study Targets the Needs of America's Maturing Population

A 2006 study on the maturing of America released by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging identified a number of “Best Practices” for communities to consider in addressing the needs of an aging population.

Among the study’s recommendations:

• Preventive health care, such as health and “lifestyle” education, immunizations and screenings, to reduce injuries and the onset of chronic diseases, as well as a range of in-home health assistance to help people stay in their homes longer.
• Nutrition education to promote healthy eating throughout a person’s lifespan, as well as nutritious community-sponsored programs such as home-delivered meals for those who have difficulty or are unable to prepare their own meals.
• Transportation options for people who cannot or do not want to drive.
• Home modification programs that make necessary adjustments for people with special needs. Zoning and subdivision plans that promote a variety of affordable, accessible housing located near medical, commercial and other desired services, as well as shared housing options for older adults and their caregivers.
• Single point of entry for information and access to ALL aging information and services in the community, and the strategic expansion of necessary services to support the older adults to age with dignity and independence in their home and community.

The complete list of recommended practices can be viewed here.

Declining Health Drives Aging Retirees Back Home

An article in USA Today describes a "boomerang" syndrome in which aging retirees find themselves moving back home. Not only do they seek closer contact with children and grandchildren, but they often need help in dealing with problems of failing health.

"Homer and Edna Walls raised nine children in Waukesha, Wis. He owned a trucking business. She was a homemaker. Soon after their youngest graduated from high school, they became typical snowbirds, flying to Arizona in winter and returning home in summer.

In the early 1990s, they sold their Wisconsin home and made what they imagined would be a permanent move to an active adult community in Green Valley, in the high desert south of Tucson. They were among the youngest when they arrived. Twelve years later, some friends had died or moved. 'Pretty soon, they were the old ones,' daughter Chris Kronsnoble says. 'There were some health issues.'" To read more, go here.

SimplyHome

Enurgi

This TechCrunch article talks about Enurgi:

A new company called Enurgi has taken its cue from social networks by creating a service network that connects caregivers with patients and facilitates their business transactions online.

The site is premised on the notion that it is currently too difficult for the elderly and disabled to find professionals to care for them (or clinicians to find clients who can benefit from their particular skills). Since Enurgi serves as a tool for both patients and caregivers, it can be viewed from either of two ends.

SimplyHome