Aging is a fact of life, and people wish to age gracefully in their homes and communities or in an assisted living facility, those with senior relatives can click here now to view some options, so they can be comfortable. Although statistics show that people over 65 are less likely than younger people to be homeless, more people over the age of 65 are becoming homeless each year. According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, roughly 280,000 people aged 65 and older are homeless on any given night.
Why Are Abandoned Aged People in Shelters Increasing?
Abandoned aged people seem to be moving into sheltered housing by the millions. Today’s senior citizens, often widowed, are baby boomers that were born in the early to mid-sixties. As this generation ages, many are living longer and healthier lives, but they are still living longer. This increased lifespan has caused the number of abandoned aged people to increase. Many senior citizens are relocating to sheltered housing.
The number of people in the United States who are aged 65 and older is rapidly increasing. In 1900, there were about 600,000 people aged 65 and older. By 2060, 70 million adults will be aged 65 and older. With this, the number of abandoned older adults is rising. According to research, the number of elderly people living in institutions or shelters with “no one who cares about them” is rapidly increasing.
The increasing rate of abandoned aged people puts an increasing burden on shelters. Many shelters struggle to care for the growing number of abandoned elderly individuals, leading to some shelters turning down potential clients or turning them away from shelters completely. As the population of elderly individuals continues to grow, shelters will have to continue to find ways to deal with the needs of this population.
The Reason Behind the Abandonment
Thousands of elderly citizens are abandoned in nursing homes and shelters every year. This has resulted in a considerable debate regarding why this occurs and what can be done to prevent it. Some believe that this is the result of nursing homes and shelters being full and abandoning those already living there. Others believe that those leaving nursing homes and shelters do so because their health has deteriorated (or because they feel it is their right).
Abandoned aged people in shelters is a terrible thing that happens. A lot of elderly parents tend to think that giving their property to their adult kids might motivate them to take care of their parents. However, after inheriting the property, some people abandon their old-age parents in a nursing home or an old-age shelter. There are no words that can come close to expressing the sense of revulsion and anger we feel towards this. That said, elderly parents can instead look for in-home care services like senior care Huntsville, or the ones like them in their location that can provide trained caregivers to assist old-age parents.
Our societies face a significant challenge with the increasing number of elderly persons abandoning their relatives or friends. This happens when they are unable to care for themselves any longer. In the United States of America alone, the number of aged persons has increased by 4% in the last 10 years. This increase is mainly attributed to advancing age, lack of resources, poverty, and encroaching illnesses.
Abandoned Aged People In Shelters: What’s The Best Solution For This?
The United States’ elderly population is growing consistently and is set to skyrocket in the coming years. With more and more people living longer, their need for a place to retire grows ever more important. Unfortunately, continued economic growth has led to a shortage of affordable housing for the elderly. According to census data, more than two-thirds of Americans age 65 and older live in private households. As more people live longer, the number of households with older adults will continue to grow. As the number of households with older adults continues to increase, so does the likelihood that some of these households will need help at some point. So, in such situations, senior assisted living can be a great choice for people who want to live a comfortable life under expert care and guidance.
Unfortunately, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities cost a lot of money, and not all families are in a position to fund such care. As a result, some families have no choice but to place a senior in a nursing home or long-term care facility. Many might even choose to put their senior family members in quality adult living communities (learn more about them here) to give them a proper space to live.
These abandoned aged people are found in homeless shelters, abandoned houses, and even cemeteries. They are abandoned due to the inability to pay medical bills and get employment. The abandoned aged people are a burden to society because they physically and psychologically need care. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to intervene and solve this issue.
