We must advocate for older adults
There is currently legislation pending for the upcoming legislative session regarding kupuna or elderly care. How we can help? With COVID killing more than 140,000 older adults in nursing homes and over 40,000,000 folks aging into the senior ranks by 2030, more than ever we must advocate for the older adult.
Many kupuna find a shortfall in dollars spent for basic care and assistance, which includes a hand up and not a handout for their survival.
Some are fortunate enough to have a care giver (some nursing homes or agencies for elder care are cost prohibitive at $7,000 to $10,000 per month, and long-term insurance is quickly depleted), who in some cases lives with the person receiving care or comes after work or daily to help with personal hygiene, toileting, meal preparation, assistance with feeding, food insecurity, house work, transportation, medication, (taking proper dosage, obtaining the correct medications which again can be cost prohibitive for routine and necessary drugs), shopping, financial advocacy, outside services both governmental and non-governmental.
Times are tight, but the elderly bear the brunt of isolation, especially during COVID and its variants. They are left out of group activities and feeding programs and may not be able to communicate their needs. Some have diseases, mobility issues or conditions that hamper their ability to advocate for themselves.
As we age we need positive advocacy for seniors, especially those living alone or who have care givers who are unpaid who may be family members or concerned friends.
In many cases (especially in Black or brown care givers and recipients), the care giver receives no help with care giving or respite care for themselves, and are in need of being paid and of having better care giving policies. They may have difficulty getting information on resources in the broader community and the ability to access them.
Roles for care giving are also changing, as care givers are asked to do more, such as monitor medication and their effects, health-condition changes, and then be able to communicate those changes to health professionals, social workers and others who give resources to the care giver and the person receiving care (the need has grown from 56% in 2015 to 71% in 2020.
The financial impact to care givers may also be significant (many are between $15,000 and $49,000 in annual income), as they must draw from personal savings, use credit cards, and take out loans or lines of credit to assist with necessary purchases. They are also looking at how and if they can work, asking for more hours, taking on a second job, and starting working or putting off or never stooping working.
We as a society must care for the kupuna who came before us and paved the way for who and what we have become. Legislators! Please look at bills that fairly compensate care givers, review resources for the elderly, increase respite care for the care giver. As we advance through the millinium none us are getting younger, and it is imperative that we have these services in place.
Beverley D. Tobias, Kapa‘a
Bravo Beverly for speaking up for Kupuna who are truly being left behind in so many ways especially during Covid – so much is needed in terms of resources for caregiving for them going forward especially when many of their family members leave the island. I think this is especially needed in our more isolated communities such as the North Shore shore.
This is a great subject, and has been for several decades now. But what ever happened to the “family” that took care of their kupuna? What happened to the “cycle of life”? We’re born. Our parents do everything for us. They feed us; they bathe us; they change our diapers; they work hard for so many years; provide everything for us. Then when the time comes that they can no longer function through their daily lives without some help, and we are living our lives in comfort because of all that they sacrificed for us, we want someone else to take care of them for us.
I hope you realize that, while your concern is appreciated, the last paragraph jumps out and reeks of “self-serving” intentions. That last paragraph pretty much says it all. Although, you actually lost my attention and respect with, (especially in Black or brown care givers and recipients).
Then you finalize your cry with “As WE advance through the millinium none of US are getting younger, and it is imperative that WE have these services in place.”
The only pronoun missing is “I”, but it’s obviously there between the lines.
How about living our lives with the knowledge of, and “planning” for, the time when we all will need to show the respect and consideration to our hard working loving parents. When we all will have to take care of, and nurture our kupuna till their lives come to an end. A “comfortable” end, with loved ones around them. Not someone that’s paid to be there. (Paid by someone else’s tax dollars).
If our legislators pass such a benefit paid for by tax dollars, perhaps they will include an “exemption” for individuals that don’t have anyone to put in a “government run care home”. And an exemption for those that can afford to, and have already made plans and arrangements for themselves or their parents.
Maybe we should first consider providing more care homes for the veterans of our “FREE” nation. Those that have put their lives on the line and have sacrificed so much for YOUR FREEDOMS.
Gets complicated! Doesn’t it???