AARP Report "Life for Ohioans Over 50"

The AARP has published the research results from 2006 data collected from Ohioans 50 and over. I would like to point out a few commanding statistics below.

• One in three (36%) Ohioans age 50+ are providing in-home care for family members with health problems; more than half of those who regularly help older relatives with daily activities are between the ages of 50 and 64. Seven in 10 (66%) Ohioans age 50 to 64 are employed.
• One in five (20.3%) Ohioans age 65 to 74 are still in the labor force, with one in 10 (11%) providing care in their home for another adult with health problems.
• Among Ohioans age 75+, one in 10 (9.2%) are caring for another adult.

I think those are vastly impacting factors in our view on retirement and what it "should" be.

"Our data indicates that if we want to help older adults avoid institutional
care, we must prepare to offer stronger support to caregivers," suggests AARP Ohio President Joanne Limbach. "Caregiving has become a way of life for many Ohioans."

That is a hugely accurate statement, caregivers both professional and personal need the communities support and guidance. Home Helpers is targeting exactly that ideology, help seniors stay and home, remain independent, retain community ties, and preserve their dignity. We are going out in to our areas of operation, and even extending our resources to the Internet in an effort to deliver the help these seniors need to get the provisions and resources to stay at home. We have a database of phone numbers, addresses, and emails for a plethora of issues and resources; federal and local alike. This resource was developed in response to need. If you need help feel free to contact us.

"Having PASSPORT is the only way we could stay at home," says a 92-year-old who shares her house with her 86-year-old sister. "I can't imagine what we would do if we didn't have PASSPORT."

What is PASSPORT?

Well, PASSORT is Ohio's "Home First" Waiver program funding seniors to stay at home through Medicaid resources. While presently it is servicing approximately 26,000 clients there are still over 1,500 on the waiting list. Very wise of Ohio to recognize the social, employment, dignity, and financial savings value of this program. "Four people can be served on PASSPORT at the cost of one person receiving nursing home care." So it creates job, helps seniors stay home, helps seniors remain a part of their communities, and saves 75% over nursing home care.

In closing I think Ohio has taken a appropriate and valuable step in the long term care of it's residents without forsaking all of the inherent costs of such a program to the communities. It may not be perfect, but in my research I found Ohio to be a front runner among other states in dealing with senior care.

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