Senior Care News

Concerns of the Elderly

Home Care in Mansfield OH

As people age, their needs and wants vary, but there are a few desires that are universal.

  1. Safety—They want to feel safe and secure and, to this end, have an affordable housing situation that feels like home.
  2. Health—They want to remain healthy. They want to feel vital and strong and remain independent for as long as possible. This includes the ability to remain mobile and have transportation easily at their disposal.
  3. Emotional Well-Being—They want to know that they will have the existence of a support group, be it family or friends, in which conversation is easy and relaxed. They want to know that these are people they can count on when an emergency arises for help and support.
  4. Mental Well-Being—They want their mental capacities to remain clear and their memory to remain strong enough that they can remain self-sufficient.

 

Unfortunately, the elderly do not always face their senior years with these desires fulfilled. In fact, an increasing number of seniors are left without the all-important support group that can be there for them should their physical body or mental state decline to the point that they can no longer remain self-sufficient. This population is so vast that it now has a name: “elder orphans.”

Elder Orphans

The baby boomers, the generation from 1946-1964, made different decisions than their ancestors. Many chose not to have children, others divorced, sometimes multiple times, and still others chose never to get married. This has led to the elder orphans, people who, in their declining years, have no support system to call on when in need of help. It is estimated that over 19 million baby boomers are at risk of becoming elder orphans.

Solutions

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.”—Richard Bach

As this quote so eloquently states, we cannot chose our family, but we can chose our friends. Yes, time may find this circle changing, but there is a world of strangers just waiting to be friends. Below are just some of the places you will find them.

  • Senior Community Centers—In addition to offering meals, these centers provide services such as social gatherings, classes, information and special events.
  • Churches and Synagogues—These provide support groups, special events and services designed to help the elderly.
  • Volunteer Organizations—There are volunteer organizations designed to help the elderly. There are also volunteer organizations that are perfect for seniors to offer their time and energy to. Type in volunteer associations into a browser and a host of possibilities appear.
  • Support Groups—There are as many support groups as there are needs. From support groups for specific diseases to emotional challenges to life-changing events. There is definitely a support group for everyone if they want one.
  • In-Home Care Providers—These professionals provide support in numerous ways from helping with the daily activities of living, to providing transportation, to offering companionship.

 

If you are considering hiring home care in Mansfield, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161.  Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.

 

Stephen Sternbach

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