One of the most famous demographers (demographic studies) of the United States is Ken Dychtwald. He has written sixteen books on the subject and consults with CEOs, world leaders, and top executives of major companies. He not only studies the demographics of the US, but he has something to say about the aging population of Japan, China and Europe.
Recently, I read again; “Age Power: How the 21st Century Will Be Ruled by the Old” by Ken Dychtwald, PhD., Penguin Putnam Book Publishers, New York, NY, 2000, 266 pages, ISBN: 0-87477-594-5. Although this book was written in 1999 and republished in 2000 and was a bestseller, what has changed since then? Not much really, and all of Ken’s predictions are coming to pass now.
Most of us are aware of this issue, and most of us have elderly family members who will soon be in need of long-term care and caregiver services. We are prepared? What are we going to do when that time comes? How will we know when it’s time to get a little extra help for mom or dad?
How serious is the problem really? Ken Dychtwald talks about a demographic “train wreck” and the coming demographic crisis in the United States. No, it’s not just here, but it could become a much worse problem here. He claims: “A care crisis could become the social and economic sinkhole of the 21st century.”
So what does Ken Dychtwald, PhD. do you mean by this statement? Well, it’s simple, there won’t be enough money for families to care for all seniors in the last decade of their lives, or enough money in the US treasury to pay for care for everyone during that time. . He also explains that unless tens of millions of caregivers are trained in the next decade, there won’t be enough people to meet the demand, not even enough people for those families who can afford the services.
Will we all be saved by further advances in longevity? Don’t count on it, says Dychtwald, sure we can live a little longer with technological improvements, but eventually we’re going to need help, and if health care costs continue to rise, it’s going to be a crisis.
After reading chapter six of this book; “The Caregiving Crisis” I am even more convinced that there is a great need for reasonable and affordable home care services, as families need an agency with trained, trustworthy and track-recorded caregivers. It is needed now more than ever. This niche must be filled. Our nation’s seniors and their quality of life depend on it.