When our loved ones grow older, it brings a range of new challenges, including chronic health conditions, the loss of family members, and increased vulnerability. As we make our way through the changes, many of us rely on our adult children to provide care and support in later years. At times when aging adults find themselves without family assistance. These individuals, known as “elder orphans” face unique concerns due to the absence of built-in support.
It can be difficult to determine the exact number of aging adults without family support, but according to the 2016 Canadian census, 33% of seniors aged 65 or older are women who live alone, and 17.5% of men who live alone. While many of your loved ones have family support, there are some who are considered “elder orphans”. With the increasing number of aging baby boomers, it is important to find a solution to this crisis.
Seniors in this category should consider taking the following steps to prepare for their care:
- Find the most appropriate living arrangement that suits best with easy access to public transportation, grocery stores and medical care.
- Having a strong network of friends, allowing you to help out one another as much as possible
- Have all legal documents in order, assigned a trusted friend to help serve as a health care proxy.
Amy’s Helping Hands is here to help support seniors “elder orphans” who may not have family support. We can offer a range of assistance tailored to your needs, all in the comfort of your own home. The Amy’s helping hands team has trained caregivers that can help provide the care you require.
- Assistance with grocery shopping, meal preparation and companionship
- Assistance with medication reminders, prescription pick up and transportation to appointments
- Help with hospital transitions and navigating the health care system
Contact us at 519-915-4370 for a free in-home consultation for home care or visit our website at amyshelpinghands.ca to learn more about our professional home care staff. We are here to help with your current care needs, as well as to help you plan for the future.
