Most Older Adults Believe They Will Eventually Need Assistance, But Few Plan For It.
Do you want to remain in your home as you age?
Have you thought about the things you’ll need in order to continue to live independently in 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years?
If you haven’t, you’re not alone.
According to a new AARP Long-Term Readiness Survey, 68% of older adults believe they will need assistance with activities of daily living at some point, but only 28% have given much thought to how they will continue to live independently when they need that assistance.
“We see it all the time,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder and president of the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “It’s often hard for seniors to admit they need help – even to themselves. So, when the time comes – when they need help with mobility, medication management or personal care, they’re simply not prepared. They haven’t researched their options or discussed plans with family members.”
Other survey findings include:
- Half of adults 50-plus are aware that Medicare does not cover long-term care services, but women are more likely than men (52% vs. 40%) to believe it does. Additionally, respondents ages 50-64 are more likely than those 65 and older to incorrectly believe the same thing (53% vs. 38%).
- Not being able to live independently (63%) and potentially becoming a burden to family members (62%) were the top two concerns noted by older adults.
- Respondents aged 65 or older were more likely than other respondents to be concerned about not being able to live independently as they age and about becoming a burden on family (64%) and needing to move to an assisted living community or nursing home (63%).
“Many seniors still believe it’s all or nothing – that when they need assistance with activities of daily living, they have to move to out of their home and into a senior living community,” Goetz said. “However, that’s not the case. In-home care, delivered by a professional caregiver, is a great option for many seniors who can, with assistance, continue to live safely in their own homes.”
Customized services
At HCAN, we work with families to develop customized care plans to meet the unique needs of every client. Our caregivers are specially trained to provide exceptional, compassionate care to those we serve – giving seniors the independence they want and families the peace of mind they need.
“Whether it’s companionship and light housekeeping or personal and Alzheimer’s care, our caregivers are trained to do it all,” Goetz said. “Some of our clients only need us for a couple of hours a week. Others want us to be there 24/7. Bottom line… when you and your aging loved ones need us, we’ll be there.”
For more information about HCAN services and agency locations, visit hcanthrive.com.
