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In 2017, baby boomers are between ages 53 and 71. Other key findings reported by the Population Reference Guide are:

• The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to more than double from 46 million today to over 98 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise to nearly 24 percent from 15 percent.
• The aging of the baby boom generation could fuel a 75 percent increase in the number of Americans ages 65 and older requiring nursing home care, to about 2.3 million in 2030 from 1.3 million in 2010.
• More than one-fourth (27 percent) of women ages 65 to 74 lived alone in 2014, and this share jumps to 42 percent among women ages 75 to 84, and to 56 percent among women ages 85 and older.
• Demand for elder care will also be fueled by a steep rise in the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, which could nearly triple by 2050 to 14 million, from 5 million in 2013.

tough decisions– Staying at home or moving to a facility? According to the Family Caregiving Alliance, every year 34 million family caregivers provide $44 billion in unpaid care-giving. Most caregivers are adult daughters and they generally spend about 20 hours each week caring for their senior loved ones. The average monthly costs for Homemaker services in 2016 was $3,613 and for Home Health Aide services was $3,623. Family caregivers report that the physical and emotional demands of care-giving causes a variety of health conditions in addition to lost earnings/wages/benefits, which can exceed $659,139 in a lifetime. An article accessed on www.seniorific.com in September 2017 states, “When a senior needs 30 – 40 hours of combined support each week, home care can be a viable short-term solution. When the amount of care exceeds 30-40 hours per week, a senior living community may become a safer, more cost-effective solution.”

The main difference between assisted living facilities and nursing homes is the level of care a resident receives and the extent of independence the resident is capable of maintaining. Today, skilled nursing home facilities transition to providing hospital-like services, while assisted living facilities transition to offering nursing home-like services. In the past, it was nursing homes that offered skilled nursing services like wound care, hospice, and rehabilitation. But today, assisted living facilities compete with hospitals and nursing homes. A stay in a skilled nursing facility is usually temporary in nature and is focused on rehabilitation that is intended to prepare the resident to return to their independent homes. Assisted living services are typically long-term facilities, providing assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, medications, and meal preparation.
assisted living facilities(ALFs) In general, assisted living is an independent option offering protection that includes personal care and support services, if and when needed. Support services may include; fundamental activities of daily living like bathing, grooming, dressing, and going to the toilet. Since each state and not the federal government regulate assisted living facilities, a few states allow medication assistance and reminders. The living quarters of ALFs range from standalone apartments, cottages, studios, or large shared one or two bedroom apartments. It’s more home-like and may offer a kitchenette. Assisted living residents may still drive, cook their meals, come and go freely, have the security of medical supervision, and interact socially with other residents. Nursing home residents generally do not have these options. As the population continues to age and live longer with chronic conditions, some ALFs are gravitating towards offering more complex medical services for chronic or terminal illnesses.

Services Meals, housekeeping services, transportation, health promotion and exercise programs, personal laundry services, planned social interactions and recreational activities may be included. ALFs may also provide access to healthcare services such as emergency monitoring/call systems, bathing, dressing, medication management, assistance with eating and going to the toilet.

Payment ALFs are not covered by health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Long-term care insurance may pay for assisted living care, but most people pay out-of-pocket. Costs vary depending on the level of care and services provided.
nursing homes(Skilled Nursing Facilities – SNFs) A nursing home is a place of residence for persons requiring constant nursing care and ongoing medical supervision. Residents are unable to live alone or independently and are treated more like patients in hospitals. They are physically or mentally powerless to leave on their own and and generally experiencing substantial deficiencies with activities of daily living.

Services Major assistance with medical care, personal care, meals, housekeeping and minimal social activities are included. SNFs provide 24-hour skilled nursing care and medical supervision for the more acute (critically ill) patients that are one step below hospital acute care.

Payment SNFs are covered by out-of-pocket private pay, private health insurance or long-term care insurance policies. Medicare or Medicaid may also pay for SNFs under specific circumstances. Cost depends on the level of care and services offered.
home health careHome health care (HHC) is a wide range of health care services that are provided in the patient’s home after an illness or injury. HHC is usually less expensive, more convenient, and may be just as effective as care received in a hospital or SNF. Many families find that utilizing HHC staff is a viable option to address clinical and rehabilitative needs after hospitalization. A HHC aide may also help with personal care-giving and household chores requiring assistance during the patient’s recovery.

ADL – activities of daily livingare the tasks a person must be able to do unassisted in order to live independently. The core activities include bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom, “transferring” (getting out of bed or up from a chair, etc) and walking.
assisted livingAn assisted living residence is a long-term senior care option that provides personal care support services such as meals, medication management, bathing, dressing and transportation.
type A facilityType A facilities may care for residents who are physically and mentally capable of evacuating the facility unassisted, do not require routine attendance during sleeping hours, and are capable of following directions in an emergency.
type B facilityType B facilities may care for residents who require staff assistance to evacuate, are incapable of following directions under emergency conditions, require staff attendance during nighttime sleeping hours, and require assistance transferring to and from a wheelchair.
type C facilityA Type C facility is a four-bed facility that meets minimum standards for enrollment with DADS as an adult foster care facility.
CAN – certified nurse aideprovides assistance with activities of daily living
RN – registered nurseusually hold an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, has passed an exam given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and also has satisfied all of the state’s licensing requirements.
CCRCs – continuing care retirement communitiesare similar to assisted-living facilities. They offer a “tiered approach” to the changing needs of aging. For example, a married retired couple may move into a single-family home or apartment within the community. If one spouse passes away or develops serious health issues, that spouse can transition to an assisted-living or nursing-care facility in the same complex. This option provides the peace of mind of knowing that, as long as it’s financially feasible, senior citizens will receive the care they need for the duration of their lives.
personal care servicesInclude assistance with services of activities such as eating, dressing, transferring from a sitting or laying position to standing, bathing, other personal needs or maintenance; general supervision or oversight of the physical and mental well-being of a person who needs assistance to maintain a private and independent residence; or oversight of a person who needs assistance to manage his or her own personal life, regardless of whether a guardian has been appointed for the person.

AssistedLiving.org is committed to improving aging adults’ quality of life by leveraging our data-driven research and expert-informed insights to inform critical decisions made by seniors, caregivers, influencers, and leaders in the senior care industry. Read more about AssistedLiving.org Assisted Living Near Me, Veteran Resources, Disability Resources, Senior Living…
Moving is a stressful time especially for seniors and people with disabilities. The elderly and disabled population will often have extra things to think about while moving, and for that reason Life Storage created a guide with Moving Tips for Seniors and People With Disabilities to help eliminate those challenges. This resource includes important information for the elderly and disabled to create an effective moving timeline, packing tips and moving day advice, which will help them be as prepared as possible for when the change comes. Read more.
Helping a Senior Regain Confidence after a FallDid you know that once you reach the age of 65 you have a one in four chance of falling? And that falls are the number one cause of injuries for older Americans each year? Read more.
Fall Prevention & MobilityPractical safety and organization strategies for seniors. Read more.
The Complete Guide to Home ModificationsIf you have a senior loved one under your roof or living independently nearby, you probably find yourself wondering what you can do to keep them safer. Read more.
Facts from “The Aging of American:Nutritional Guidance for a Rapidly Expanding Population”Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2018 FNCE conference.

Population Trends:

• 2014 – 65+ – 46 million Older Americans
• 2020-2030 – Baby boomers turn 65 and number of older adults increase by 18 million
• 5 out of the top 10 counties in the US which have the largest number of 65+ are in Florida ranging from 43.4% to 31.2 %. Llano County in Texas has 35.6 % aged 65+ vs Harris county is 10.2%.
• The six leading causes of death in 2014 were Heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease & Diabetes.
• Average US life expectancy increase from 68 years in 1950 to 79 years in 2013. Average life expectancy for age 65 is 19.4 years. For Females is 20.6 years & Males is 18 years.
• US spend more per capita on healthcare than other nation in the world.
• Medical expenses double for older adults aged 70-80. Medical spending over the last year of life is averaged $59,100. 71% is covered by Medicare & 10% by Medicaid.

Nutrient Recommendations for older adults (51-70 YEARS)
Higher RDA’s (Recommended Daily Allowance’s) -Calcium, vit D & B6
Lower RDA’s (Recommended Daily Allowance’s) – Iron (RDA – females), Chromium, Sodium & chloride
Decrease Energy with increasing age.
Barriers to Maintaining or Improving Eating Patterns in Older Adults

1. Nutrition information overload
2. Awareness and adoption of changing food landscape
3. Modification of expectations and approaches to food preparation
4. New demands of the information age
5. Comfort level and new food preparation methods
6. New food preparation and storage challenges
7. Practical issues – counter height, sitting; accessibility (reaching, lifting); strength and dexterity
8. Additions issues: Diminished taste and smell; altered mobility & vision, imperfect dentition, relocation & social engagement