A growing number of older Americans choose to continue livingin their homes as long as they can. The MetLife Mature Marketing
Institute reports that 91 percent of Americans who are approaching
retirement age — those 50 to 65 — say they want to remain in their own
homes after they retire.
Responding to this “aging in place” trend, a variety of organizations
have created solutions to assist seniors with living safely and
independently in their own homes. For example, the National
Association of Home Builders has created the Certified Aging-in-
Place Specialist program to help seniors adapt their homes for their
later years. The trend also will call for increased in-home caregiving
services. As the Centers for Disease Control reported in the 2007
“State of Aging and Health in America,” 88 percent of seniors have at
least one chronic health condition and 30 percent have three or more.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services adds that more
than two-thirds of older Americans who need daily assistance are now
living at home. This includes more than 70 percent of persons with
Alzheimer’s disease.
The Challenges Of Aging
Our nation’s elderly population is increasing at a far greater rate than
the overall population, a result of advances in medical science and
technology that have lengthened life expectancy. The 65 and older
population increased eleven-fold during the 20th century, compared
to three-fold for the entire population.
Now at nearly 40 million, the 65+ group will more than double by
2050. This growth will be fueled by 76 million baby boomers, the
first of whom will turn 65 in 2011. Consequently, current systems for
elderly care are being stretched. And as more and more seniors choose
“home sweet home” over institutional care, demand for in-home
caregivers — professional and family — will increase. To read more about safety at home and how technology can help, click on the webstite: http://www.comfortkeepers.com/content/view/274/284/
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