America’s Elder Orphans: Preparing for Life without Loved Ones

Until recently, Baby Boomers were America’s largest living generation with an estimated 74.9 million in 2015. They have since been surpassed by the Millennials, but as this large-scale generation ages, it is set to put a strain on the nursing home and elder care industry. The United States Census Bureau stated that our elderly population is not only growing, but it is expected to double by 2025.

As our elderly population grows, elder abuse and neglect are becoming more serious, systematic problems. The added strain of this population swell is creating a need for action when it comes to regulating elder care facilities. Family members should be paying close attention to their elderly loved ones in nursing homes, making sure they are receiving quality care.  But what happens when someone doesn’t have anyone to check on them?

According to Science Daily, it is estimated that nearly 25% of all aging Baby Boomers – or over 19 million boomers –  are at risk of becoming “elder orphans”. This means they are elderly citizens with no children or spouse, leaving them especially vulnerable to abuse and entirely dependent on advocacy groups for care in their older years.

Cases of elder abuse happen more often than some may want to believe. In 2010, there were 632,693 cases of elder abuse in California alone and that doesn’t include the many instances that don’t include physical abuse, and therefore often go unreported. According to one California elder abuse lawyer, some of these less noticeable types of abuse include:

• Abandonment
  
• Abduction
  
• Financial Abuse
  
• Isolation
  
• Mental Suffering
  
• Neglect
  

While these forms of abuse are traumatizing for anyone, a vulnerable “elder orphan” is especially susceptible. So, how can “elder orphans” protect themselves in the future? Many are setting up plans in advance.

Setting Up a Plan to Protect Elder Orphans

Carol Marak is documenting her experience as an aging “elder orphan” on Modern Health Talk and she breaks down the aging process into five distinct stages: independence, interdependence, dependence, crisis management, and institutional care. While there are many other facets to consider, having a well thought out plan for each of these stages can be crucial to self care at an older age. Elder care experts commonly discuss this issue and suggest steps to prepare for each stage:

Independence:

During this stage, seniors are still self-sufficient. This is the ideal time to plan and prepare. During the independence stage, seniors should evaluate their health, think about the types of future care that may be needed, consider costs, research ways to self advocate, and prepare any necessary documents such as a power of attorney, a living will, etc. This is also a good time to look into housing options. Whether that means an addition to a loved one’s home, a plan allowing them to age in place.  Elderly persons should research senior living homes that fit their future needs and also a nursing home that they can afford and would like down the road. This is also an important time for seniors to consider anyone outside of their family that they trust with their care. The risk of elder abuse increases as more caregivers are added to the mix, so seniors should have a set list of individuals they trust to care for them whether it’s a friend, family member, neighbor, or other member of the community.

Interdependence:

At this stage, seniors start to need some form of assistance and for those who do not have family to care for them, this can be increasingly difficult. Carol Marak recommends looking into living situations that help seniors maintain their independence with private living suites, but provide basic necessities like meal plans, laundry, security, and cleaning. Group homes are a great option for this stage of aging.

Dependence:

The next stage of the aging process is dependency. This is where seniors need help with basic daily activities including meal prep, dressing, bathing, laundry, etc. Dr. Anthony Komaroff of Harvard Medical School recommends a continuing-care retirement community during this stage. These facilities often have a variety of living arrangements for people at different stages in life. They provide social interaction with common spaces as well as kitchens where residents can get food and eat in a social environment.

Crisis Management:

This is a time when health professionals and medical needs may surpass the wants of the senior. Full time in-home care is an option, but can be expensive. It is important for those at risk of becoming an “elder orphan” to have adequate savings and financial means set up for this stage of aging.

Institutional Care:

The final stage according to Marak is when a senior needs extensive personal and medical care. This is usually found in a nursing home or through hospice care. At this time, it is imperative that seniors have a “Durable Medical Power of Attorney” which will be given the legal right to make decisions about the seniors’ medical care if the senior is unable to communicate. A regular “Power of Attorney” does not have this ability. According to the Hospice Patients Alliance:

“The ordinary “Power of Attorney” does not give another person the legal right to make decisions about the medical care you do or do not receive. If you are unable to make these decisions on your own or to communicate your decisions, the decision will be made for you by your family in consultation with the Attending physician. Your wishes may not be followed!”

Even with Power of Attorney, choosing a nursing home for an elderly family member can be difficult. Medicare has star ratings, but they don’t always tell the whole picture about a nursing home or skilled nursing facility.

While the idea of becoming an “elder orphan” may be overwhelming, there are ways the aging Baby Boomer generation can prepare. An article by Family Studies states that, “elders’ intentional preparation for aging and the end of life played a significant part in shaping the quality of the experience for all.”

Featured Image By AveryHealthcare (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons