Oldest Boomers About to Turn 80

Is the Rochester area ready?

 

Born between 1946 and 1964, the oldest members of the baby boomer generation will turn 80 starting in 2026. Does the Rochester area have sufficient resources available to meet their needs in older age?

Geriatrician Ahmed Rab, medical director of the Episcopal Church Home and the lead physician for Unity Geriatrics, discussed what is available in Rochester and what is still lacking.

“I think that it’s great we’re investigating how to be prepared for this,” he said. “Eighty percent of people 65-plus have a chronic health condition. One out of nine adults over 65 will have one form of dementia. One out of four of those 65-plus will fall. Getting prepared for these changes is important for Rochester.”

He added that affordable long-term care represents a huge issue, as 50% of seniors on Medicare have incomes that fall 200% below the federal poverty line. As many as one-quarter of older adults experience malnutrition because of an inability to access or prepare sufficient food. He explained that this can cause muscle weakness, slower recovery from illness and injury and health conditions caused by poor nutrition.

Having no reliable transportation can harm health, as older adults may not be able to shop for supplies, pick up medications, make it to doctor’s appointments or socialize frequently.

“Social isolation affects mental health,” Rab said. “One-third of those over 80 are isolated. It places them at risk for dementia, depression and premature death.”

He believes that programs managed by the Office for the Aging in Rochester can help direct people in finding resources in many of these areas — care, nutrition, transportation and socializing — but sufficient staffing of organizations remains a problem.

“By 2030, the number of geriatric specialists will fall far below the level needed,” Rab said. “We’re always recruiting geriatricians to meet the need.”

The same holds true for many positions in healthcare, especially those relating to older adults such as home health workers and those working in independent living, assisted living and long-term care facilities.

Rab said that organizations like ElderOne and Lifespan collaborate with hospitals to help discharged older people who need help. For some, receiving rehabilitative care at home can help them recover to a better state independence and prevent re-hospitalization.

“There’s definitely an increased need for home care services,” Rab said. “Oftentimes if we can’t get wound care to the house or physical therapists or occupational therapists, it’s because there’s not enough services. That can lead to longer stays in the hospitals and nursing home rehabs taking away beds from people who need it. Increasing the staffing will help people be better prepared.”

Technology can help reduce staffing woes. Rab said that telehealth is one example of ways that the healthcare system can reduce urgent care and emergency department visits. Although some older people resist using technology for telehealth, Rab added that he has patients 100-plus who feel completely at ease with technology.

Rab also believes that preparing for older age matters. For example, “automating” tasks such hiring a lawn care and snow removal company can prevent injury from these activities.

Scheduling regular delivery of groceries and supplies can make shopping simpler. Signing up for automatic payments ensures these bills won’t be skipped.

“It can help you to find ways to have people you can rely on,” Rab said. “It’s super important to prepare for end-of-life care and advanced directives. If you don’t address these issues when you’re of sound mind, it can lead to conflict in the family. Think about having an advanced care directive and have your healthcare wishes well documented.

“Think about your long-term care and prepare for it. People don’t realize how expensive it is.”