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