The older I get—I just celebrated my seventy-fifth birthday — the more closely I pay attention to senior care issues. This intensified interest is driven by pure self-interest, coupled with the stark reality that I live alone and have no immediate family.
The New York Times reports that by 2034, the number of senior citizens is predicted to exceed the number of children. Accordingly, more older Americans will need care. Not to overstate the problem, however, the same Times article reports, “The United States currently relies on unpaid caregivers to provide $870 billion worth of labor each year, often at an extreme cost to the caregivers’ own well-being, finances and futures.”
Indeed, the main thrust of this Times piece focused on the unpaid caretakers, who are predominantly female, family members, it would appear. Sadly, for many, their caretaking duties can become thankless, even overwhelming. Yet, whether driven by a sense of obligation, by love, or by guilt, they persist. It is not unheard of for an overburdened caretaker to harbor resentment toward an aged parent, even secretly wishing death for them.
Hopefully, nobody is wishing me dead! At the same time, I do not have anyone I can turn to for care if things head south. This realization, while providing a powerful personal incentive to maintain a healthy lifestyle, is no guarantee of continuous good physical health. Likewise, mindful of age-related brain rot, I read, write, or play music daily and engage with others, hoping to maintain a mental edge, but there is no certainty.
Unlike some, I currently have the financial means to adjust to changing life circumstances. Yet, I am far from wealthy, and who can predict what tomorrow brings? In the back of my mind, like most folks, I guess, I harbor financial concerns about the future.
Age-related technology is already available to bridge gaps, offering remote monitoring via apps, videos, or wearables. It’s a booming business, too, which, according to AARP, has doubled in just the past five years.
Naturally, the continued development of artificial intelligence (AI) will also play a larger role in elder care over time. Generally, I feel trepidation about AI, but for some seniors, including perhaps even people like me, AI might prove to be a boon.
For example, I saw an AI robotic dog that can assist an elderly person experiencing cognitive decline. Supposedly, this robot dog is even smarter than Lola the pup, but if so, it is nowhere near as sweet or as cuddly as my Wonder Dog. Still, there is something to be said for a robotic dog who can give you the weather on request and remind you to take your medication.
