How to Markedly Reduce Your Risk of Going to a Nursing Home (Part I)
September 20, 2024 | Need for senior care
You can reduce your risk of going to a nursing home — but first, you need to understand what puts you there. Meet Steve and Stanley, identical twins born on February 29, 1948. For most of their lives, people could barely tell them apart. Today, however, their lives look nothing alike. One lives independently and travels the world. The other lives in a nursing home. Their story shows exactly why lifestyle choices matter more than age or genetics.
Two Brothers, Two Completely Different Futures
Steve and Stanley studied electrical engineering at the same university. They both enjoyed travel and cruise ships in retirement. Both had hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Neither had heart, lung, or kidney disease.
However, their daily habits were very different. Steve walked his dog two miles every day. He also swam two to three times a week. Stanley, on the other hand, was generally sedentary and gained weight over time.
By age 70, Stanley struggled to walk several blocks or climb stairs. He also had trouble with yard work and carrying groceries. Three years later, he fell in the bath and fractured his arm. After that, he needed insulin injections and stopped traveling altogether. Seven months ago, Stanley had another fall with a concussion. He went to a nursing home for rehab and never came home.
The Silver Tsunami Is Already Here
Steve and Stanley are part of the 73 million baby boom generation. The impact of this aging generation on society is called the “Silver Tsunami.” It is overwhelming family caregiving and the long-term care system. In fact, seven out of ten boomers will need personal or nursing care at some point in their lifetime.
Many Americans still believe family members will care for them. According to the AARP Policy Institute, 68% of Americans expect to rely on family for help. However, shifting demographics are making that harder than ever. Baby boomers have lower marriage rates and higher divorce rates than their parents. Moreover, more boomers have remained childless.
Additionally, the New York Times estimates that 1 million Americans currently have no one to help them if needed.
Spousal Caregiving Takes a Heavy Toll
Spouses are usually the first to step in as caregivers. However, the cost to their own health is serious. Research published in Social Science and Medicine found that spousal caregivers report higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression than other caregivers. They also have more health problems and struggle more with daily physical tasks.
Furthermore, when a spousal caregiver becomes ill, the result is often two people placed in long-term care at the same time.
The Nursing Home Industry Cannot Keep Up
The long-term care industry is already under serious strain. According to the National Investment Center for Senior Housing and Care, more than 3,000 new nursing homes must be built just to meet demand. Of the $400 billion needed, only 40% is currently funded.
Even if all new facilities were built, they would still be dangerously understaffed. The Global Coalition on Aging reports a shortage of 151,000 care workers by 2030. By 2040, that shortage will grow to 355,000 caregivers.
The Financial Reality of Nursing Home Care
Going into a nursing home is rarely a choice people make willingly. The financial impact alone is staggering. According to a 2022 KFF survey, 90% of respondents said it would be impossible or very difficult to pay $100,000 for a year of nursing home care.
Additionally, the average male nursing home resident lives about 2.2 years after admission. The average female lives 3.7 years. For many families, this means spending their entire life savings in the final years of life.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Going to a Nursing Home
The good news is that 30% of older adults never need nursing home care. That is not simply luck or good genetics. Instead, most of these individuals actively chose a lifestyle that protects their physical and mental functioning.
Statistics are not your destiny. Chronological age does not determine your future. Therefore, the best time to act is now — regardless of where you are starting from. Research shows that people can make significant health improvements even in their 70s and 80s.
The first step is knowing your functional age. Your functional age reveals where you stand today and shows you exactly where to start. Take the free Resilient 80s Functional Age Test to find out your functional age and healthy life expectancy.