Seniors ETC Predicts Top Trends for Caregiving in 2008
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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