In this blog post we are going to introduce the top senior care trends. The landscape of senior care is a canvas that reflects the shifting values of our society, particularly when it comes to the interwoven strands of family continuity, independence, and togetherness. In an era where ‘sandwich generation’ caregivers find themselves balancing care for both aging parents and growing children, the traditional model of senior care is no longer the most viable or satisfying option. This blog post explores the transformation underway, shedding light on modern caregiving trends that aim to foster a stronger bond between seniors and their families as they transition through new phases of care. Consider joining us for our Free Master Class on the top 3 trends where we will go into much more detail and our workbook will help you work through your own unique family situations to see how these trends may directly impact your family’s future.
In 2010, 40 million people age 65 and over accounted for 13 percent of the total population in the United States. In 2030, the number and proportion of older Americans is expected to grow significantly—to 72 million, representing nearly 20 percent of the population said the report, by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. (1)
The Top 3 Trends We Will Discuss:
- Mental Health Concerns Especially Depression and Anxiety
- Multigenerational Living
- Aging in Place
Traditional senior care often conjured images of nursing homes and endless corridors, where family visits were the tenuous threads keeping loved ones connected. These environments, while providing important care, often created a sense of isolation and detachment that troubled many families. The breaking news? There’s a revolution in care, and it’s not televised; it’s personalized.
The Pandemic once again impacted our seniors in nursing homes maybe more than any other group of people in our country. It was such a double-edged sword. The balance between safe care and isolation. As we discharged patients from the hospital, they could expect a 14-day isolation in their rooms. No eating with the rest of the residents in the dining hall. They ate alone day after day in their rooms. The only contact they had were the infrequent checks or if they placed their call lights on.
Frequent shutdowns occurred and some nursing homes allowed outdoor visits with loved ones. This was much better than nothing. Winter months made this very difficult when depression and loneliness are at their peaks. Others were not as lucky and may have had family visits looking out at each other through the window. This is very sad when you think about it.
Out of this isolation came mental health issues that we are dealing with today. Depression and anxiety at the top of the list. Thanks to telehealth more seniors can get help. However, aging adults want more than the option of living out their life in nursing homes. Those aging adults that require nursing home stays are having trouble finding a good place to go. Staff shortages are the leading cause for a lack of open beds in most facilities. Some families are then forced to look at other care options when a nursing home bed is not available in their area.
The Morale of ‘More’:
Finding Strength in Changing Times
The pandemic has had a trickle-down effect on all of us. This month we are going to address these trends and take a look at how these trends may impact your family as we share on our social channels and YouTube.
For generations, the exchange between parents and children was a one-way street, from dependence to independence. This dynamic is in a state of flux. With improvements in healthcare including telehealth which again was born out of the pandemic, as well as other advancements leading to an increase in longevity, the narrative of care has evolved. It’s not just the ‘morale of more years’ but a ‘morale of more time’ that is now at the center of the senior care stage.
Old-age isn’t just another phase; it’s a makeshift for new beginnings. It’s about discovering second winds and fresh avenues for seniors to explore. Our medical advances have helped us live longer than ever. This expansion, however, heralds a call for family members to rebrand their roles as companions, guides, and advocates in their loved ones’ independent journeys. We even see our politicians talking about how our seniors should work longer than 65 and what changes we may see in our Social Security payments.
Times are changing. What we are concerned about most are senior healthcare issues. So let’s get started on what we may look forward to in Senior Care.
Senior Trends Impacting Living Arrangements: The Shift from Traditional to Innovative Senior Care Models
The equation of care has evolved dramatically. We’re leaving behind the notions where retirement homes were the default and independence became a rarity. Despite their initial intention to provide care, traditional models were often critiqued for isolation and a lack of personalization. But the tides are changing.
A Personal Journey Through Caregiving Redefinition
Three of my grandparents spent their remaining years in nursing homes. My grandpa had Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease. We moved him from Chicago to Southern Wisconsin at the nursing home where my mom was a C.N.A. or Certified Nursing Assistant. My grandma stayed in her home in Chicago until she had her first stroke and then she moved to Southern Wisconsin to an Assisted Living Community. She had a couple more strokes and spent her last 10 years in the nursing home.
While our family was still living in Chicago, my dad’s dad, my grandpa also had a stroke. We always lived in the same house as these grandparents. They lived upstairs from us or later on lived in the same apartment. We tried to keep him at home. I will never forget. At that time all the adults in our family smoked cigarettes. I was 12 when my grandpa was still with us, and we would have to hold his cigarettes so he could smoke because his hands weren’t very steady and were extremely weak.
I remember the day he left us. My grandma had passed away prior to his stroke so it was just our family and grandpa living together. He felt down a flight of stairs and sustained a head wound and my dad decided it was time for him to go to a nursing home. I remember going to see him once and my dad never took us back because of the conditions such as men lying in bed in their underwear, people crying out, and the odor. It was a sad place I thought of as a child.
Transitions to a nursing home were just part of getting old. Times are changing and our aging adults want things to be different. Our innovations will help them age in the manner they choose.
Senior Care Trends: Tomorrow’s Horizon Today:
Predicting and Influencing the Future of Senior Care
What does the future hold for senior care? In this anticipatory space, we forecast the senior care trends that will continue to shape the care domain, emphasizing the importance of adapting and contributing to these dynamic shifts. By peering into the horizon of geriatric care, we encourage our readers to become stewards of change, ensuring the next chapter of elder care is one of solidarity and progression.
Aging in Place and Multigenerational Living round out the trend in senior living. There are options within this category such as Independent Senior Living Communities which have become so popular now. You keep your independence yet can take advantage of some forms of communal living such as a central dining hall for an evening meal.
We even had Chefs for Seniors. This is a franchise service that has a chef come into your home and prepare a meal for you all based on your likes, dislikes, and any food or allergy restrictions. They discuss the meal, bring the groceries and cook right in your kitchen!
During our Master Class we will be joined by Janet and her Realtor. Janet has been navigating multigenerational living for many years and is preparing to sell her home and begin yet another multigenerational living chapter of her life. If you ever thought about whether or not this may work for your family, join us and hear Janet’s story and her insights on this style of living for aging adults.
Conclusion: Reiterating the Importance of Adapting to New Care Trends
This paradigm shift in senior care trends is not just a topic for discussion among care professionals; it’s a transformation that involves every member of the family. To weave a care network that is as robust as it is compassionate, we must remain attentive to the evolving trends and technologies that are reshaping our present and our future. In this evolution, togetherness and independence are not opposing forces; they are complementary elements that, when balanced just right, create a tapestry of care and life that is both intricate and resilient. Our Free Master Class and Workbook will help guide you through the design of your own family and help you consider all the options. We will look at all the pros and cons of each trend and how each one may impact your family. We will give you strategies and food for thought as you look at what is best for your aging loved ones. See you there!
The narrative of senior care trends is being rewritten with every new innovation that surfaces. These innovations light a path to a future where the golden years shine not just with the promise of improved health and safety but with the warmth of familial bonds that grow stronger with each passing day. It’s a future we’re crafting, one step, one conversation, and one care-filled instance at a time.
Thanks for stopping by and spending some time with us. Staying ahead of the curve when it comes to caring for your aging loved ones is what we can do best for you and your family. Kudos to you for wanting to stay in tuned to what is going on in the arena of senior care.
We will see you back here soon,
Pam and Linda
Your Nurse Advocates-Your Nurse Advocate Consulting, LLC
“Compassionate Care for Aging Parents, Peace of Mind for the Adult Children.”
Resources:
Your Nurse Advocate Consulting Free Resources
Free Private Forum: Speaking Out on the Care of Your Aging Parents
Free Weekly Newsletter: “Senior Saturdays”
https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dbsr/workshops/aging-place-dementia-workshop
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/telehealth-improving-dementia-care
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/federal-report-details-health-economic-status-older-americans (1)
