| In Ohio those 85 years or older constitute the fastest | | | | and emotional demands. Household helpers of various |
| growing segment of the population. The number of | | | | kinds are not so common as they were a couple of |
| those over 60 in this state is projected by 2020 to | | | | generations ago. Costs for helpers may well be |
| increase by a third. Similar demographics may be | | | | prohibitive. |
| anticipated all over our country. | | | | To be a caregiver may mean to be housekeeper, |
| Many of these older people require assistance in | | | | chauffeur, cook, gardener, nurse and companion. Most |
| dealing with the basic needs of everyday life. | | | | will bring to these varied roles a large measure of |
| Eldercare has become a new word to be reckoned | | | | goodwill. And most, sooner or later, will feel the strain. |
| with.. | | | | They will feel the need for release, respite or support. |
| Obviously, those able to be independent choose to live | | | | Those who have assumed the task and been able to |
| at home. Short of living alone, the preferred option is to | | | | benefit from the experience can have much to share |
| live with family members. In a recently conducted poll, | | | | with others They are aware of how much it demands. |
| Ohioans overwhelmingly supported a tax increase to | | | | They know that it may call upon all of a person's |
| provide care for elderly family members at home | | | | reserves - not only physical, but mental, moral and |
| rather than in an institution. | | | | spiritual. |
| Long-term care of older and disabled adults presently | | | | As a result it can be an opportunity - an unexpected |
| accounts for 24 percent of the state budget. Providing | | | | opportunity for growth, not only for the caregiver, but |
| care at home is considerably less costly than | | | | for anyone who receives care.Being a caregiver can |
| institutionalized care. Need as well as preference show | | | | help a person to become a better and more useful |
| the growing importance of a renewed emphasis on | | | | human being. It can help the person who receives care |
| home care for the elderly. | | | | to be more thoughtful and kind in the relationship with |
| Eldercare has become a task in which millions of | | | | the person who provides eldercare. |
| Americans will increasingly be engaged Many of those | | | | As a former caregiver I have often realized how |
| who care for the old will themselves be advanced in | | | | much I learned in the caregiver segment of my life. I |
| years. Many will find themselves caring for their elderly, | | | | hope to be able to share some of that knowledge |
| ailing parents. | | | | with others now in that position. With all of its hurdles |
| Whether they assume the role through choice or | | | | and handicaps, its constant daily challenges, it can be a |
| necessity, caregivers will be subjected to new physical | | | | special period of personal growth. |