By Tangela Henry, SWODA Information Assistant, 580-562-5026
By the year 2030, this nation’s 72 million baby boomers will reach age 65 which will create a critical shortage of caregivers. Those employed as caregivers are primarily women in their mid-20s to mid-50s, and the caregiver industry is already suffering from low wages and high turnover rates. Improvement of this situation is not expected anytime soon.
Paid caregivers mostly fill jobs taking care of older people usually working as nursing assistants, home health aides and personal care assistants. In the next decade, an additional one million of these direct care professional workers will be needed, and by 2030, an additional three million will be necessary.
Unpaid family caregivers, 61 percent of whom are women, play a significant role as well. They must balance work and family life. They must fill the void left by a paid care professional, if they are able to afford to hire a care professional at all. Each year, the U.S. economy loses about $33 billion in productivity because of employees who are also family caregivers and who must deal with issues related to taking care of family members.
In the past, older people have been able to rely on family and friends to help with chores such as housekeeping and grocery shopping. However, baby boomers had fewer children, and often they are spread around the country. There are simply fewer people on which to rely.
In partnership with the Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division, the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority Area Agency on Aging (SWODA AAA) provides respite services for eligible caregivers who are caring for people age 60 and over.
Also served are grandparents 55 years of age or older caring for grandchildren, step-grandchildren or children related by blood or marriage that are no older than 18 years of age. Grandparents must live with the child, serve as primary caregiver and have a legal relationship with the child (custody, guardianship or raising child informally).
For information about this program and other services, call SWODA AAA Information and Assistance Specialist Tangela Henry at 800-627-4882 or locally at 580-562-5026.
These services are funded in part by state and Older Americans Act Funds from SWODA AAA and DHS Aging Services.
It is policy of SWODA AAA to serve all individuals who are eligible for its programs without regard to race, national origin, ancestry, color, religion, gender, age or disability.
SWODA is one of 11 Councils of Government in the state. SWODA’s region of service includes municipalities, counties and conservation districts in Beckham, Custer, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills and Washita counties.
