Virginia is facing a big challenge. The number of older people in the state is growing, and experts are warning that more needs to be done to help them, especially when it comes to caregiving. As the state’s aging population continues to increase, younger Virginians are finding themselves in the difficult position of becoming caregivers for their aging loved ones.
Jessica Guthrie, a 36-year-old from Fredericksburg, knows this challenge all too well. She’s been taking care of her mother, Constance Guthrie, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a decade ago. Jessica said that stepping in as her mother’s caregiver was an easy decision. “I’ve always had the orientation of, I will sacrifice and show up for my mom, because it is her sacrifice and the ways she showed up for me that allowed me to even be here,” she explained.
What started as helping her mom with meals and doctor’s appointments soon became more demanding. Today, her mother is bedridden and requires constant care. Jessica is one of many Virginians taking on the responsibility of caring for aging family members, with more than 164,000 people in the state over 65 living with Alzheimer’s disease.
But being a caregiver comes with its difficulties. “There are moments of resentment and frustration and anger,” Jessica shared. However, she emphasized that her feelings were not directed at her mom but at the lack of support systems available for caregivers like herself.
The Aging Population in Virginia
By 2050, Virginia’s population of people over 60 is expected to increase by nearly 70%. This means that more young Virginians may find themselves in situations like Jessica’s in the future. Advocates are pushing for changes that would make it easier for caregivers and older residents to get the support they need.
Amy Strite, the executive director of the Span Center, a nonprofit that supports caregivers and older adults, explained that Virginia needs to prepare for this growing challenge. “We want to be clear that there’s unmet need,” Strite said. “But we’re also preparing for a growing population.”
One of the main concerns is making sure that older Virginians have access to food, transportation, and affordable living options. These are basic needs that can be difficult to meet as people age, especially for those who don’t have a family member or caregiver to rely on.
The Struggles of Family Caregivers
Jessica Guthrie is an advocate for paid family medical leave, which would help people like her who have to leave their jobs to care for a family member. “If you have family caregivers who are navigating showing up for their family members, or having to navigate crises, their only option is to take unpaid leave,” she said. Jessica had to quit her job in 2023 to care for her mom and is now working as a self-employed professional.
At the moment, Virginia does not have a paid family leave program. While some states have passed laws to offer paid leave for caregivers, Virginia only has a voluntary private insurance program for paid family leave. Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill last year that would have made paid family leave mandatory. However, a new bill that would create a paid family leave insurance program in Virginia recently passed the state Senate.
Legislative Efforts to Help Caregivers and Older Virginians
LeadingAge Virginia, an organization of nonprofits focused on aging services, is supporting new laws that could help Virginians as they age. These bills focus on making it easier for older adults to remain in their homes while getting the care they need. However, not all of these bills have been successful so far.
For example, a bill that would have set up a task force to improve food assistance for older adults was blocked in a subcommittee. Older adults are at a high risk of going hungry, and advocates believe that more must be done to address food insecurity among seniors.
Another bill aims to improve access to transportation for people with disabilities, especially those in rural areas. This could help older adults who are unable to drive but need help getting to medical appointments or grocery stores.
Additionally, there is a bill that would make it easier to build affordable housing for older adults who need assisted living facilities. This bill recently passed the House with bipartisan support and is now in a Senate committee.
The Importance of Aging in Place
One of the most common wishes of older Virginians is to live in their own homes as they age. According to the University of Virginia, 97% of people over 65 in Virginia live in their own homes. However, many of them need help with daily activities like cooking and cleaning. That’s why it’s so important to have resources available for those who want to stay in their homes but may need assistance.
Support services like adult day care and respite care for family caregivers are essential to help older people stay in their homes safely. However, many of these services are not automatically available, so advocates are pushing for more funding to help programs like these.
Looking Ahead
Jessica Guthrie believes that any effort to help aging Virginians is a step in the right direction, but there is still much more to be done. “You have people aging, you have families who want to help, but the information is so spread out and unclear, people don’t know where to start or how to very much support their people,” she said.
As Virginia’s population grows older, it is crucial for the state to improve support for caregivers and older adults to ensure they can live healthy and fulfilling lives. Advocates and lawmakers are working to address these issues, but the future of caregiving in Virginia depends on the state’s ability to create better systems and programs for everyone involved.
(Source : newsbreak.com)