T
he U.S. is becoming an older
country — in 1950, 8% of the
population was 65 or older. By
2022 17.3% were 65 or older — one in
six of all Americans. Increased longevity
and the aging of the large Baby Boomers
group born soon after World
War II are key reasons for
this shift.
These demographic chang-
es have enormous implica-
tions in many aspects of life,
from health care to housing.
Alyssa Tobias, MSW, CDP,
says we have a “big problem.
How are we going to care of everyone?
There is no money for people who age.”
Tobias is in private practice as a senior
advocate and is manager of indepen-
dent living for Waltonwood Senior
Community, which has seven senior resi-
dences in Michigan.
“We don’t know how we’re going to
age,” she says. “I want to help them go
through the aging process with dignity
and safety.”
Even people who are able to age well
with minimal health or financial prob-
lems may face a time when their multi-
floor home is risky or driving
becomes a challenge.
Ideally, geriatric experts
say planning for the
future should begin when
everything is OK. Yuliya
Gaydayenko, MSW, MA,
who is chief program officer
for Older Adult Services at
Jewish Family Service (JFS), recom-
mends that individuals in their early
60s should begin to assess “what will be
my network and how can I improve my
health.”
Tobias suggests that a senior advocate
can help parents and children make a
plan in advance. Aging is a family issue,
she explains, and sometimes she helps
develop consensus among family mem-
bers.
Geriatric specialists — usually social
workers, nurses or gerontologists — who
work with older individuals and their
families, seek to help them make good
decisions about health, housing, nutri-
tion and transportation, now and in the
future. They can assist on a one-time
basis or provide ongoing care manage-
ment.
Often there is one focus area of need,
such as a dementia diagnosis for the
Don’t wait for a crisis to make a plan.
Senior Care Specialists
Can Ease Life Transitions
Alyssa
Tobias
SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
HEALTH
66 | MARCH 28 • 2024
J
N
Yuliya
Gaydayenko