Rachel Gill, Social Services Provider, Westminster Manor - "Family and Aging: Challenges and Opportunities."
Continuing the December focus on family, this week’s speaker, Rachel Gill, Master Social Worker on staff at Westminster Manor, gave us a statistical overview of the increasing percentage of our aging population. Austin has the second fastest growing population of folks 64 and over. This population is often vulnerable due to chronic illness (heart, lungs, kidneys,vision, hearing,diabetes, etc.), acute infections or injuries, falls, abuse and neglect, and drug and alcohol abuse. This population in also challenged by loss of driving which leads to less socialization, loss of purpose, Alzheimer’s or other dementias, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Often financial instability is a factor, not to mention the fact that our American families are often scattered far and wide—which leads to difficult communication. Families are inevitably burdened by these factors. The fact of role reversals is difficult, confusing, and sorrowful. The care-giving is financially, physically, and emotionally draining. Grief and the loss experienced by both the aged and the care-givers are deep and continuous. Most care-givers are women over 50 and as old as the 80’s and 90’s. It has been estimated that the value of the unpaid labor of care-givers is $35.5 billion in Texas alone. But there is much we can do! First defense is a good offense, as the saying goes. Families should plan ahead before a need arises. Identify the primary care-giver and build into the plan support and time for breaks. Get all the standard documents in order. Identify a social network for both, and schedule routine social engagement opportunities. Help define a purpose and sense of joy for the aging. And certainly, access available resources. Rachel provided these resources here in Austin:
Advance DirectivesDocuments are available for free at
https://hhs.texas.gov/laws-regulations/forms/advance-directives
You DO NOT need an attorney.These documents help you express your wishes
Agency Links
AGE of Central Texas https://ageofcentraltx.org/
Austin UP https://austinup.org/
Capitol Area Agency on Aging http://www.capcog.org/divisions/area-agency-on-
aging/service
Aging Services Council of Central Texas https://www.agingservicescouncil.org/
And finally, and quite important ADVOCATE!