Life Transitions for Adults 65+: A Closer Look at the Complexities and How Jewish Family Services Can Help

Charlotte Jewish News March 2022

By Sheryl Gerrard, JFS Senior Engagement Manager

The silver tsunami, the gray wave, the silver wave — many of us have heard these less-than-flattering descriptions of the increasing number of senior adults as our general population ages. While these terms are considered ageist, they represent anxiety about some very real challenges that an increasing number of aging seniors are facing. For example, as people age, many life transitions occur that can affect our quality of life, including housing, income, transportation, health care, isolation, and the ability to perform daily functions. These transitions can be complex and challenging to navigate, and finding the most supportive resources for individual situations can also be difficult. Adults struggling with the transition can turn to Jewish Family Services (JFS) to be connected to a senior adult case manager. Case management for senior adults can include a variety of supportive services, such as providing assistance with medical referrals, securing appropriate housing, accessing transportation, connecting seniors to social opportunities, and addressing food insecurity.

The first step in the process is for the case manager to complete a thorough life plan comprehensive assessment. This allows us to gain a full picture of the senior adult’s life situation, needs, and goals. Working collaboratively on this assessment to establish clear plans for addressing the identified areas of need can help the senior adult regain a sense of control. Often the senior adults who contact our agency are feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances and confused about what to do next. The case manager can help clarify tasks, prioritize, and has access to numerous resources to address the senior’s needs.

The number of senior adults seeking resources has grown significantly. The reason for this increase is twofold. First, as we approach the two-year mark of the pandemic onset, there is an increasing acceptance that it is OK to turn to agencies like Jewish Family Services for support. The second reason correlates with the increasing number of aging adults.

According to a 2020 report from the Administration for Community Living, “The older population is expected to continue to grow significantly in the future. Growth slowed somewhat during the 1990s because of the relatively small number of babies born during the Great Depression of the 1930s. But the older population is beginning to burgeon again, as more than two-fifths (41%) of the ‘baby boom’ generation is now age 65 and older. The population age 65 and older increased from 39.6 million in 2009 to 54.1 million in 2019 (a 36% increase) and is projected to reach 94.7 million in 2060. By 2040, there will be about 80.8 million older persons, more than twice as many as in 2000.”

These nationwide trends are widespread and problematic here in Charlotte. Locally, one of the most difficult and discouraging needs for our aging population is the limited availability of affordable senior housing. For those independent senior adults on a limited fixed income, finding appropriate housing in the Charlotte area is nearly impossible. The average monthly Social Security check in just slightly over $1,400. A recent article in the Charlotte Observer identified that new data indicated that only 1% of apartment rentals in Mecklenburg County are under $1,000/month. With wait-lists for subsidized housing through our local housing authority currently lasting one to three years, it is almost impossible for senior adults to manage rent in addition to regular expenses like food, utilities, transportation, and medicine. Early in the pandemic there was some temporary relief with a moratorium on evictions, but that has ended, and more seniors are looking for emergency financial assistance to avoid eviction.

Another need for our local senior adults is socialization, something that became increasingly challenging as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Since the onset of the pandemic, many of us became skilled at virtual gatherings via Zoom, Google Teams, or even FaceTime. Senior adults who live alone, however, are experiencing isolation more than ever. Many social programs transitioned to online/virtual sessions, and seniors may not know how to access them or feel uncomfortable navigating this type of platform. Many of our senior adult clients do not even have computers or tablets or may not have access to internet. As the variants of the virus continue to impose limitations on socializing, these senior adults are finding themselves desolate and alone. Chronic loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks, putting seniors at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions. Our case management team has addressed this issue over the course of the pandemic by helping our clients learn to navigate virtual platforms and by providing programs to educate, entertain, and offer a social opportunity for those who remain secluded at home.

Jewish Family Services offers case management to both Jewish and non-Jewish senior adults throughout the greater Charlotte community. If you are a senior adult who is struggling with any of these issues related to aging, reach out today to get connected to a senior engagement case manager and get the resources you need to start improving your quality of life. Call (704) 364- 6594 or email info@jfscharlotte. org.