| A new year is upon us, and as time moves | | | | |
| forward, more and more people are working | | | | Although the senior home care agencies are |
| harder to make ends meet and provide for | | | | not an enormously large industry and are |
| their families. One demographic of our | | | | widely available, they can provide some |
| population that has been overlooked, are our | | | | crucial services to the community. Most offer |
| seniors, (those 65 and older). | | | | some type of respite care, hourly (with a 2 - |
| | | | 4 hour minimum), short-term, or long-term |
| The senior population has been growing, and | | | | care and also includes weekends and holidays. |
| more rapidly within the last 5 years. On | | | | Prices can range from $15 to $22 per hour. |
| March 9th 2006, the US Census Bureau | | | | This becomes extremely beneficial when |
| projected that the US population age 65 and | | | | families need a respite from daily |
| older will have doubled by the year 2030. | | | | care-giving, or are not able to be there. |
| That is 1 of every 5 persons in the US will | | | | Some insurance policies cover nonmedical |
| be 65 years of age or older, approximately 72 | | | | senior care but you must first consult your |
| million people, with the fastest growing | | | | insurance agency to have that verified and |
| segment being age 85 and older. This in part | | | | what conditions apply. As with any company or |
| is due to better health, longer life | | | | individual you will need to verify and do |
| expectancy, and the baby boomers coming of | | | | research on the providers of this service and |
| age. | | | | their employees. |
| | | | |
| Despite their better health and longevity, | | | | Senior care companies can provide services |
| our seniors are being left out in the cold, | | | | that can help to maintain the independence, |
| with no one, or very few people and resources | | | | and activity that seniors and their families |
| to assist them in enjoying their golden | | | | are seeking. They provide nonmedical |
| years, after having served their families, | | | | services, such as companionship, meal |
| and country. Too often we hear reports of | | | | preparation, medication reminders, light |
| seniors needing help because of lack of care, | | | | housework, transportation, errands, and |
| or minimal access to people and resources. | | | | arranging medical/non-medical appointments |
| | | | and social outings and events. |
| Some families are also finding themselves in | | | | |
| a crisis situation, because they are not able | | | | These services provide many families with the |
| to care for their elderly loved ones due to | | | | peace of mind in knowing that their love ones |
| financial and/or physical constraints, | | | | are okay, and well-taken-care-of. Some |
| (whether by distance or disability), and they | | | | agencies like TLC Companion Care, Inc have |
| are not aware of what local resources are | | | | extended their service to families that are |
| available to assist them. Some available | | | | in need of assistance such as new moms and/or |
| resources are The Department of Health and | | | | dads, and those who are in need of any |
| Human services or You can also do an online | | | | assistance to maintain their independence and |
| search for elderly and home care, or contact | | | | standard of living in their own home. |
| your local Health and Human Services agency, | | | | |
| (usually always listed in the phone book | | | | For more information, please click on any of |
| under government agencies), to see what local | | | | the above links to contact someone and ask |
| companies or agencies are available in your | | | | questions, or call your local Health and |
| area that may have be of benefit. | | | | Human Services agency. |