United States of Aging: will we see beyond our differences enough to care for others?
KIRC asks the question after traveling to different regions of the country, each with their own societal norms and attitudes
Happy Sunday KIRC family!
Here’s hoping your weekend is allowing you to find a few moments to relax, recharge and rejuvenate.
Today’s update is landing in your in-box after your correspondent has just returned from a 4-day business trip, traveling from Northern California to Ohio.
View from 30K feet
What does that bit of information have to do with our mission of sharing caregiving information for each other?
When one travels, you see things. I’m a news professional. I consume news programs wherever I go. I see just how different the norms, opinions and policies are from region to region.
I also tend to spot families traveling with elders and take note of the adjustments they must make while navigating airports, bathrooms, food and seating logistics.
My next thought when I see these folks? “I wonder if these families are making voting choices taking our aging population into consideration?"
And then, I think about the deep differences and divides tearing at the seams of our country right now, and it makes me nervous.
No, that word ‘nervous’ is too soft. It scares me.
Courtesy: Getty Images/Jose A. Bernat Bacete
Then I start going down a bad rabbit hole:
Will we, as a society be able to find more middle ground moving forward?
If we continue moving farther apart what does that mean for care and compassion for others?
If there is so much hate and angst surrounding us, will anyone care for families and elders as I /we age?
Sorry, but this is how my mind works.
Why? Because as a news reporter and family caregiver, I know first hand (as do many of you) that once you or a loved one needs help due to aging or medical issues, your political leanings no longer matter. You simply need help.
What matters is whether your family, your community and your state, has recognized and planned for the reality of our aging population so that you have options and support.
However, if political leanings are the only driver for voting decisions and your candidates simply do not support programs designed to help people, then you risk funding for some programs (which may help you) going away.
When the time comes and you or your loved one is older, declining or facing some other kind of physical or mental disability, guess what? The help that you need may not be there.
Sigh… okay, I have promised that this platform is non-political, so that’s as far as I’m going to go down that road.
Courtesy: Getty Images/JGI/Tom Grill
However, to that end, I do want to share with you some resource information and upcoming events to put on your radar.
Because I traveled to Ohio, here is a starting point for eldercare information for those in the buckeye state.
Ohio
While Ohio does not have a Master Plan for Aging, it does have what it calls a Strategic Action Plan on Aging, looking ahead for addressing the aging population until 2022.
Kudos to the state for also reminding all citizens to be mindful of the welfare of any elderly friends or neighbors during severe winter weather.
National assistance
Regardless of which state you live, there is another resource which might prove useful in seeking programs and/or services for care.
Benefits.gov is a portal to connect all of us, with various governmental agencies providing services. The tagline? ‘Your Path to Government Benefits.’
I encourage you to check it out and to NOT consider benefits a bad word. This site is easy to use and you’ll find lots of information that could help you and your family.
Upcoming event
Saturday, January 22, 2022
AARP: Prepare to Care - Answers, Support & Resources for Caregiving
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern Time - ONLINE EVENT REGISTRATION
Courtesy: AARP Screengrab
Caregivers from anywhere in the country are invited to take part in this FREE online event.
Description: If you are taking care of a family member or loved one, we can help you plan and prepare for the future in this caregiving program.
Whatever happened to…
Remember that story we shared regarding residents of a Durham apartment building, many of whom are elderly or disabled, facing eviction right before the end of the year?
Again, while it may not be directly tied to caregiving, there are crossovers. Most notably, the very meaning of the word care and how we treat fellow humans.
For the time being, those impacted were not booted out and still have homes.
To learn more about the impacts of gentrification and the intersection of race, check out this film out of Boston on World Channel.
Until next time,
Julia
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*Header Image: Courtesy Getty Images/FG Trade
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