{"id":21008,"date":"2023-05-03T09:00:41","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=21008"},"modified":"2023-04-28T11:17:23","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T15:17:23","slug":"population-of-homeless-seniors-expected-to-almost-triple-by-2030","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/population-of-homeless-seniors-expected-to-almost-triple-by-2030\/","title":{"rendered":"Population of Homeless Seniors Expected to Almost Triple by 2030"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div><h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We Need More Safeguards in Place to Prevent Senior Homelessness<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In a world obsessed with youth, wherein wrinkles are removed through the latest Instagram filters and scientists study immortal jellyfish for secrets to reverse the aging process, one thing is clear:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Growing old has become something many people fear.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There are plenty of reasons to view life through this lens of uncertainty. Aging means inching ever closer to certain death. It means facing the loss of life, faculties, worldly possessions, and everything in between.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In the past, growing old was bittersweet. It meant swapping out evergreen innocence and replacing it with wisdom. Sure, that spring in the step might transform into a wrinkle around the eye, but all that meant was that you spent life smiling. That smile would linger on in family circles for precisely however long you did.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At least, that\u2019s the romanticized version of aging in the American past.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Truth be told, the reality held a bit more nuance. And even then, some seniors were shuffled off to poor houses or forced to toil on through poverty. But at least they were respected by many ancient societies by and large.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sadly, however, in today\u2019s world, wisdom and experience are attributes that hold much less notoriety. We live in a fast-paced environment, one that is, quite arguably, collapsing on itself in the face of up-to-the-minute trends in technology.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In this climate, the 65 and over crowd has little to look forward to regarding their futures. As the senior population continues to increase, stretching beyond the 55 million mark, and\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/acl.gov\/aging-and-disability-in-america\/data-and-research\/profile-older-americans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1 out of every 6 Americans has senior citizen status<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, this subgroup of individuals is destined to face a multitude of hardships. These obstacles include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not having enough income to survive through their last few decades or years<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lacking medical coverage<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not being able to afford life-saving prescription medications<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Needing to continue working past retirement<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Facing ageism in the workplace<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Contending with unprecedented levels of inflation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Losing their homes and much more<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>A New Study Projects That by the Year 2030, Senior Homelessness Will Have Nearly Tripled<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A new study entitled \u201c<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/aisp.upenn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Emerging-Crisis-of-Aged-Homelessness.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Emerging Crisis of Aged Homelessness<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201d puts hard data and statistics in place to support the sentiments felt nationwide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As many feared,\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/homeless-disabled-elderly-and-waiting-for-death\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">senior homelessness<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is not only increasing, but it is doing so at a rate that could mean it will nearly triple in the next six years. The research was presented by Ph.D. holders and various academics from the following institutions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">University of Pennsylvania<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">University of California<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">University of Delaware<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Boston University<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New York University<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The City of New York Center for Innovation through Data Intelligence<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to approximately 30 years of data, post-war Baby Boomers have faced increased vulnerability to homelessness since birth. Factors fueling this predisposition to homelessness are many.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some of the most impactful include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Highly competitive labor and housing markets<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Decreased and stagnant wages<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Massive rental rate increases<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Unemployment<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Underemployment<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Back-to-back recessions and more<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Based on historical health and homeless shelter records and future population projections, the cross-sectional analysis indicates that\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/increased-long-term-care-costs-could-accelerate-aged-homelessness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">senior homelessness<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0for the 55 and over crowd will likely triple by 2030, meaning in the next six years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>What Will Our Country Look Like in 2030 if Senior Homelessness Triples?<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Given the accelerated rates of cognitive decline and decreased mobility, the tripling of the senior homeless population would almost certainly lead to premature aging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Studies show that seniors thrust into the desolate state of homelessness\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/homelessness-is-prematurely-aging-people\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">age about 20 years faster<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0than their housed counterparts in terms of physical and cognitive capabilities. With this information in mind, it\u2019s easy to see that the tripling of senior homelessness would strain the US healthcare system immensely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Researchers project that healthcare costs in metropolitan cities like New York will triple along with the senior homeless population, moving from an expense of $150 million to an astronomical $461 million a year. A similar outlook in healthcare costs is expected to take place in Boston.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">LA County\u2019s healthcare services are projected to increase by 80% between 2011 and 2026 and then, perhaps, exhibit a slight decrease in the following four years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It isn\u2019t just the healthcare system that is likely to feel a strain if senior homelessness triples. Other social systems like the shelter system, the service sector, mental health facilities, and long-term care facilities are all likely to be inundated with homeless senior citizens in need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This reality is a mere six years in the making. The best approach is not preparation. It is prevention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>How Can We Prevent Senior Homelessness from Tripling in the Next Six Years?<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Study researchers suggest imploring targeted housing interventions to prevent this doomsday scenario. These housing intervention methods include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rental vouchers<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rapid Rehousing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Shallow rental subsidies or rental assistance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Permanent supportive housing should always be the end goal in addressing homelessness. This particular subgroup of seniors will likely also need case management and access to home healthcare services.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These are lofty goals, but with the proper structure, they are achievable. In the end, this prevention will save lives and money.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Tell Your Local Representatives to Protect Our Seniors from Homelessness<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Growing old is nerve-racking enough just in terms of dealing with the decline in health, mobility, and cognitive capabilities. Our seniors should not have to approach these apprehensive years, fearing they will have to live and eventually die outside on the streets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Please talk to your representatives about putting more safeguards in place to prevent senior homelessness and homelessness in general.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We Need More Safeguards in Place to Prevent Senior Homelessness In a world obsessed with youth, wherein wrinkles are removed through the latest Instagram filters and scientists study immortal jellyfish for secrets to reverse the aging process, one thing is &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/population-of-homeless-seniors-expected-to-almost-triple-by-2030\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":21009,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[241],"tags":[253,832,10951,962,515,17444,508,1090],"coauthors":[8785],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21008"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21008"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21008\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21199,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21008\/revisions\/21199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21008"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=21008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}