AGING IN BLACK
By: Sandra M. Jones

Caring for the elderly has been a rewarding blessing. Their pure presence represents the fabric of our community. Evidence of their efforts can be seen in our daily lives. When people live to be well into their eighties, nineties and beyond you can smell their wisdom. They have an air about them that is pleasant, warm and sweet. We were taught to respect our elders at all times. Many invested their life savings and time to make things better for the future.

However, many of the elderly today are ill prepared. The cost of medicine, housing and the lack of resources has caused all sorts of hardships. Older adults are in the poorest health and take as many as five different medications everyday. Families are struggling with caring for aging parents, kids and working a full time job. The elderly's needs will continue to increase along with the cost of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Planning for old age is just like planning for anything else. In order to survive you must be willing to give of yourself. We must educate ourselves about the concept of aging. There are families who sit back and watch one or two people do all the work. The community has an obligation the build and obtain the things we need. For those seniors wanting to remain in their homes they will need a team of people each responsible for particular duties.

From scheduling and taking the elderly person to the doctor, shopping, bathing, cooking, banking, personal caring and getting them out into the community to socialize and live life to it's fullest. The team must be totally committed until the person can no longer be cared for in the home. The responsibility continues until the person dies.

The role of a caregiver is overwhelming and if they are not supported thy will soon need care themselves. SO-ACT and Visiting with Care are available to help. Families, churches and businesses must understand that being prepared is the key. Old age can not be prevented. Most of us will live well into our eighties, nineties and hundreds. We will need some sort of assistance.

We need good health and to surround ourselves with people who love and care about us. As a advocate for the elderly and their families SO-ACT and Visiting Care can help you with your aging issues.

Please contact Sandra at (513) 861-2790 or Alizis at (513) 924-0045.