Home Instead Senior Care, Manassas

Statistics Forecast Need for More Care

J Schock Bolles — Sat, 14 May 2011 13:10:59 +0000

Since May is Older Americans Month, what do the latest statistics tell us about growing older in the United States? What future needs are unfolding for seniors and their families?

An interesting profile is emerging that does provide a clearer picture of the face of aging in this country today and into the decades ahead. First of all, more people are centenarians. An estimated 104,754 seniors in the United States were at least 100 years old on Nov. 1, 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What’s more, projections reveal that reaching that magic century mark will become more common. By 2050, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts that 601,000 seniors will be at least 100 years old.

Seniors are a busy bunch as well. An estimated 6.2 million were in the labor force in 2008. Projections indicate that by 2016, the number will reach 10.1 million, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Statistics also reveal a population either living alone or with relatives. Nearly one-third (29 percent) of people 65 and older were widowed in 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Some were relying on family support. In 2008, 68 percent were in households with relatives, 5 percent lived in group quarters and 2 percent lived with non-relatives, as reported by the 2008 American Community Survey.

A study conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care^®network found that an overwhelming majority (86 percent) of seniors want to continue living at home for as long as possible. But who will care for this growing number of seniors, which could reach nearly 72 million by 2025?

It should be no surprise that caregiving is emerging as one of the fastest-growing professions in this country. It’s estimated that more than two million caregivers will be needed to keep pace with the demand in the decade ahead. For instance, Home Instead Senior Care, the largest provider of care in the world, currently employs more than 65,000 CAREGivers. For the company to keep pace with projected demand, it will have to double its care force in just two years.

Caregiving is a flexible job full of rewards. To learn more, contact Home Instead Senior Care.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care, contact us at 703-530-1360 or visit http://www.homeinstead.com/manassas-va .

Study Finds Drop in Deadly V.A. Hospital Infections

J Schock Bolles — Mon, 02 May 2011 13:02:49 +0000

An aggressive four-year effort to reduce the spread of deadly bacterial infections at veterans? hospitals is showing impressive results and may have broad implications at medical centers across the country, according to the first comprehensive assessment of the program, which was released Wednesday afternoon. Please read the article by Kevin Sack here.

Want To Live To 100 Try To Bounce Back From Stress

J Schock Bolles — Sun, 01 May 2011 13:01:05 +0000

Gerontologist and commentator Mark Lachs says one of the keys to a long, healthy old age is the ability to keep moving forward after life’s inevitable setbacks. Please listen to Broadcast by Mark Lachs here.

Larry King special looks into Alzheimer’s disease

J Schock Bolles — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:34 +0000

Hosted by Larry King, “Unthinkable: the Alzheimer’s Epidemic,” airing Sunday, May 1, at 8 p.m. EDT, will discuss Alzheimer’s disease, who gets it and why, and the race to find effective treatments and a possible cure. King, in his first CNN special since ending his long-running interview show, will be joined by California’s former First Lady and Alzheimer’s activist Maria Shriver, Alzheimer’s Association Champions actor Seth Rogen and football star Terrell Owens and others touched by the disease. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta will also explain how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain.
Read the article here.

Read Maria Shriver’s article here.

End-of-life care finally getting attention it deserves

J Schock Bolles — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:39:01 +0000

The introduction of the term “death panels” into the nation’s vocabulary in 2009 may have been a stroke of political genius for those opposed to the national health-care overhaul. But it was a terrible blow to the broadly supported idea that talking about and planning end-of-life care benefits everyone. Please read the article here.

Share the Risk and Share the Harvest

J Schock Bolles — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 14:35:37 +0000

One idea that has gained momentum is to replace traditional pension funds with plans akin to 401(k)s. In 401(k)-style plans, no one would be guaranteed a particular income upon retirement. The government would merely contribute to retirement accounts, and state workers would choose how that money was invested — and live with the consequences. Please read the article by Robert J. Shiller here.

Helping hand not strong enough, seniors groups say.

J Schock Bolles — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:33:50 +0000

The Conservative government offered a helping hand to Canada’s very poor seniors and older citizens who want to stay in the workforce Tuesday, but seniors groups said the federal budget measures didn’t go far enough to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty. Please read the article by Althia Raj here.

At end of life–more planning, more counseling, more dignity

J Schock Bolles — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:30:55 +0000

Most people can’t control how or when death comes, but can prepare for certain scenarios ( hospital, nursing home, or hospice ) and pass their wishes along to doctors and loved ones. Please read article here.

In Maryland and Virginia, looking for a pension fix .

J Schock Bolles — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:29:23 +0000

States across the country, already reeling from three years of austerity, face battles on two fronts now that revenue is starting to stabilize or, in some cases, recover. First, they are trying to restore funding for schools and services still suffering from budget cuts. Please read the article here.

Finding your dream career in retirement

J Schock Bolles — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:27:32 +0000

To be sure, working in retirement might seem like an oxymoron, especially when you consider we’ve been trained to think about adult life in two phases: work and then retirement. Please listen to the live panel discussion here, by Robert Powell,