The ‘Age Wave,’ and compassionate solutions

This is the largest generation in human history, and the youngest of the boomers, now needing support for their parents and other older relatives, will themselves soon need services.

Dementia brings its own special challenges. The number of Minnesotans with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to grow dramatically, doubling by 2040. Dementia demands expert caregiving support for seniors who lose the ability to perform day-to-day tasks and care for themselves.

These senior trends have significant implications for our communities and nonprofit organizations that serve seniors and caregivers.

And, as we look back behind the boomers, in the 45-to-54 age group, we’re seeing a decline in informal caregiving provided by family and friends. This comes with a huge cost. In Minnesota, every one-percent decline in family caregiving costs government entities $30 million.

So it’s imperative that we remain well-positioned to help Minnesota seniors and caregivers maintain their independence, by surrounding them with a host of low-cost or no-cost services. Often, help with household chores − such as shoveling and window cleaning − is the difference between independence and a move to a more costly, and less desired, lifestyle in a structured senior care community.

Seniors prefer living independently for as long as possible, and Senior Community Services is committed to assisting them in this life preference. And because many seniors are dependent upon family or friend caregivers, we’re supportive of them, too. Caregiver burnout is the leading cause of nursing home placements. This not only removes frail elderly from their beloved homes, but costs taxpayers far more through Medicaid than it would through non-medical, home-based services, like those provided by Senior Community Services.

Our staff and partners work with adult children caregivers, many still working full-time, to provide assistance navigating the complex service system for their older family members. We’ve found that family coaching and caregiver support groups are particularly effective in reducing caregiver stress, depression, and burnout.

Facing these growing needs, Senior Community Services and its nearly 300 partner organizations are responding. And we see the benefits of our outreach daily. At age 73, Beverly is full of gratitude for the help she’s received from Senior Community Services.

“I have been blessed by your wonderful program in so many ways. Without Senior Community Services, it would have been impossible to stay in my home for the last 10 years,” she says.

To maintain her independence at home, Beverly relies upon the Household and Outside Maintenance for Elderly (HOME) program. For her, HOME is a lifesaver.

“You’ve done exterior and interior painting, lawn mowing, leaf raking, snow shoveling, and performed many handyman repairs. I cannot say enough about your orderly, well-managed program. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Helping Beverly and thousands of her Minnesota peers is what Senior Community Services is all about. In this new year, we hope you’ll join us as we Reimagine Aging for Minnesotans.