News About Aging

Do you know someone who is making a difference in the lives of older Philadelphians? Show them how much they are appreciated by nominating them for a 2020 Community Service Award from the Emergency Fund Coalition (EFC) for Older Philadelphians!

Having it all in today’s world often becomes more challenging with age. Juggling a full-time job, domestic responsibilities and caregiv­ing duties can feel like a three-ring circus. This is especially true for those younger seniors who are “sandwiched” between dueling caregiving responsibilities.

With an ever-increasing number of people surviving cancer, and with the majority of those survivors being older adults, survivorship care is an important topic for seniors.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) has launched a statewide campaign to promote the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program, which provides adults who are the primary caregivers for a senior, as well as senior caregivers raising a child or caring for an adult with a disability, with respite care, reimbursement for caregiving expenses, education and counseling.

Nominations due Friday, Jan. 25.

While most people think of family caregivers as middle-aged or older, one-quarter of those caring for family members are considerably younger. These millennial caregivers (born between 1980 and 1996) play a critical role in families by providing unpaid care to their chronically ill, disabled and aging parents, grandparents or other relatives.

Practicing self-care is integral to leading a healthy lifestyle. However, people often place the needs of others above their own, putting their physical and mental health at risk in the process. This is especially true of caregivers. Caring for the needs of others often comes at the expense of meeting one’s own needs. This self-care checklist that follows was put together by Iona, a senior services program based in Washington, D.C. It can serve as a reminder for seniors to keep their individual needs at the forefront every day, even if they are caring for another.

The funds will be used to improve the state’s efforts to serve the estimated 400,000 Pennsylvania residents who are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

By Marcia Z. Siegal

Doris Roberts, 85, is among the thousands of older adults in Philadelphia who are raising grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other young relatives whose biological parents cannot care for them. “I raised six children; seven grandchildren, who are all adults now; and now I’m raising my great-grandson, Hydir,” she said. Hydir, who is now 14, has been in Roberts’ care since he was a baby.