Aging Parents
Someone to Watch Over You
How long do you want to live? Before you give an answer to that question, think long and hard about the ramifications of living to a “ripe old age”. Do you want to live to be one hundred if you develop Alzheimer’s disease at seventy? Do you want to spend years facing depression and loss of self-esteem? And there is perhaps the most important question: Who will take care of you? These are some of the issues facing today 's rapidly growing elderly population. In the United States, our parents are living longer. With this increased longevity has come the dilemma of providing the best care for them in their later years. It has become a burning issue in the lives of today’s middle-aged adults; what to do when your parents are no longer capable of managing their own affairs. Many of today’s elderly are forced to move in with their adult children. If they remain healthy in their later years, they are able to stay in their own homes, either with part-time or live-in assistance. Others are not so fortunate, and must be moved into nursing homes for the remainder of their lives. Their numbers are growing, and unfortunately, the need for quality care and housing for our elderly population is not keeping up the pace. “The age wave is mounting: 83 million Americans, an unprecedented 13% of the population, are over 65. Their ranks will more than double by 2030. The number of Americans 85 and older has nearly tripled since 1960, to 4 million, and will more than double over the next 30 years. Along with that explosion has come a growing, and often confusing, array of living and caring options” (Booth). The middle-aged adult population now has the responsibility of taking care of their parents, and with it comes the uncertainty of how best to do this. As the decision-maker, you have to make choices that will not only affect your parents’ lives, but yours as well. Your parent may not be thinking clearly due to either side
How long do you want to live? Before you give an answer to that question, think long and hard about the ramifications of living to a “ripe old age”. Do you want to live to be one hundred if you develop Alzheimer’s disease at seventy? Do you want to spend years facing depression and loss of self-esteem? And there is perhaps the most important question: Who will take care of you? These are some of the issues facing today 's rapidly growing elderly population. In the United States, our parents are living longer. With this increased longevity has come the dilemma of providing the best care for them in their later years. It has become a burning issue in the lives of today’s middle-aged adults; what to do when your parents are no longer capable of managing their own affairs. Many of today’s elderly are forced to move in with their adult children. If they remain healthy in their later years, they are able to stay in their own homes, either with part-time or live-in assistance. Others are not so fortunate, and must be moved into nursing homes for the remainder of their lives. Their numbers are growing, and unfortunately, the need for quality care and housing for our elderly population is not keeping up the pace. “The age wave is mounting: 83 million Americans, an unprecedented 13% of the population, are over 65. Their ranks will more than double by 2030. The number of Americans 85 and older has nearly tripled since 1960, to 4 million, and will more than double over the next 30 years. Along with that explosion has come a growing, and often confusing, array of living and caring options” (Booth). The middle-aged adult population now has the responsibility of taking care of their parents, and with it comes the uncertainty of how best to do this. As the decision-maker, you have to make choices that will not only affect your parents’ lives, but yours as well. Your parent may not be thinking clearly due to either side
Cited: Berman, Claire. “Caring For Yourself While Caring For Your Aging Parents.” New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc. 1996. Greenberg, Vivian E. “Your Best is Not Good Enough.” Massachusetts: Lexington Books. 1989. Levy, Michael T., M.D. “Parenting Mom and Dad: A Guide For the Grown-Up Children of Aging Parents.” New York: Prentice Hall Press. 1991. Loverde, Joy. “The Complete Eldercare Planner.” rev. ed. New York: Hyperion. 1997. Thompson, Mark. “Shining a Light On Abuse.” Time Magazine 3 August 1998. 11 Oct. 1999. “Who’s Taking Care of You.” Cigna Summer 1997. 8 Oct. 1999