Seniors
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
When we were little, they took care of us. They were our leaders and our heroes. Now we're all grown up, and the people who once kept us safe in the face of danger need our help.
But many seniors are often forgotten about. While the rest of us are busy with our lives, some older adults are being preyed on by businesses that see them as an easy mark; their health is declining because they can't afford the healthcare they need; some are even eating whatever they have in their cupboards because they can't get to the grocery store.
These aren't just problems; these are people.
But there is a solution - we must protect them. As a society, we have an obligation to care for our seniors like they cared for us when we were little.
The good news: There are services and resources available to help seniors with their day-to-day struggles. The bad news: Many don't know there is help available to them. Right now, older people in our community are suffering because they don't know there is help available to them.
As an advocate for older adults, I'm asking you to help spread the word that help is available. Here are just a few examples of how access to the right information can find solutions to problems for seniors.
Not long ago we spoke with a man who didn't know his options for in-home care. First, we helped provide him with an evaluation to determine his healthcare needs. Immediately, we discovered that he was paying for more in-home care than he actually needed.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little information.
Last week we spoke with a woman who was considering moving into an expensive nursing facility. We provided her with information about the differences between nursing homes, assisted living placements and subsidized housing, including the costs of each and other pros and cons. We then discovered the woman was eligible for certain government funding that she didn't know about, and explained the terms of the funding and what it meant. With a little information, she was able to make an informed decision that would make life better for her and easier for those who care for her.
The first step to helping this woman was her phone call to us. If she hadn't called, she might have committed herself to a nursing home when there were other options available to her that she really preferred. She is just one reason why educating our seniors about the services and resources available to them is an obligation we must all take part in. There are thousands more in our community alone.
You can help. Talk with seniors and let them know they are not alone. Let them know there are organizations like REAL Services that will help find solutions to their problems.
This generation worked hard to build the communities and services we all benefit from. Now it's their turn to kick back and enjoy themselves. So, please, let us all remind ourselves to look out for them. After all, it wasn't long ago they were the ones looking out for us.
Tricia Gorden
Director of Training and Community Resources
REAL Services/A2AA
South Bend[[In-content Ad]]
When we were little, they took care of us. They were our leaders and our heroes. Now we're all grown up, and the people who once kept us safe in the face of danger need our help.
But many seniors are often forgotten about. While the rest of us are busy with our lives, some older adults are being preyed on by businesses that see them as an easy mark; their health is declining because they can't afford the healthcare they need; some are even eating whatever they have in their cupboards because they can't get to the grocery store.
These aren't just problems; these are people.
But there is a solution - we must protect them. As a society, we have an obligation to care for our seniors like they cared for us when we were little.
The good news: There are services and resources available to help seniors with their day-to-day struggles. The bad news: Many don't know there is help available to them. Right now, older people in our community are suffering because they don't know there is help available to them.
As an advocate for older adults, I'm asking you to help spread the word that help is available. Here are just a few examples of how access to the right information can find solutions to problems for seniors.
Not long ago we spoke with a man who didn't know his options for in-home care. First, we helped provide him with an evaluation to determine his healthcare needs. Immediately, we discovered that he was paying for more in-home care than he actually needed.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little information.
Last week we spoke with a woman who was considering moving into an expensive nursing facility. We provided her with information about the differences between nursing homes, assisted living placements and subsidized housing, including the costs of each and other pros and cons. We then discovered the woman was eligible for certain government funding that she didn't know about, and explained the terms of the funding and what it meant. With a little information, she was able to make an informed decision that would make life better for her and easier for those who care for her.
The first step to helping this woman was her phone call to us. If she hadn't called, she might have committed herself to a nursing home when there were other options available to her that she really preferred. She is just one reason why educating our seniors about the services and resources available to them is an obligation we must all take part in. There are thousands more in our community alone.
You can help. Talk with seniors and let them know they are not alone. Let them know there are organizations like REAL Services that will help find solutions to their problems.
This generation worked hard to build the communities and services we all benefit from. Now it's their turn to kick back and enjoy themselves. So, please, let us all remind ourselves to look out for them. After all, it wasn't long ago they were the ones looking out for us.
Tricia Gorden
Director of Training and Community Resources
REAL Services/A2AA
South Bend[[In-content Ad]]
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