Much has been made of the so-called "sandwich generation," adults who raise growing children even as they care for their aging parents.
However, what is not discussed as frequently is how the seniors in the equation often want to be just as autonomous as their youthful counterparts.
Although the mature set may require assistance in some realms-physical, financial-there is a variety of available tools and resources to help them maintain and exert their independence.
1: Assisted Living Facilities No senior looks forward to the day when he will be committed to a senior citizens home.
For many, the very thought evokes images of dreary common rooms filled with neglected residents, sullenly waiting for medicine to be admitted by soulless staff.
However, scores of alternatives abound in the modern era, including assisted living facilities that can feel like the private residences from which the elderly tenants came.
Seniors can enjoy the best of both worlds as they maintain and enjoy their own living spaces with trained and compassionate nursing staff in close proximity.
2: In-home Mobility Assistants There are almost as many different modes of mobility assistants as there are seniors who use them.
Although facilities such as those mentioned above are often equipped with these senior-friendly amenities, even those who still reside in their own homes can have them specially installed.
These features include everything from walk-in baths to wheelchair lifts.
The latter is particularly helpful for seniors who are largely restricted to wheelchairs, but still seek to move about their home or facility freely and easily.
3: Senior Center Involvement Senior centers are not a new invention, but with a baby boomer turning 65 every eight seconds, the need has become more urgent and diverse.
Gone are the days of shuffleboard and day trips to the mall.
Today's seniors are seeking out more adventurous fare than their parents did upon reaching their golden years.
Today's senior centers engage the over-60 set with road trips to faraway destinations and classes on everything from Italian to samba.
Always keenly aware of their audience, these centers often even provide transportation, naturally equipped with lifts and amply-sized seating.
Golden Years Reimagined The image of the octogenarian wasting away in her home, awaiting visits from the grandkids, is a thing of the past.
Today's seniors are more energetic and active, seeking out new experiences that perhaps their children haven't even had.
As the senior population-full of people raised on dynamic lifestyles and hectic schedules-explodes in the near future, it will become even more commonplace to see the elderly being less of another charge for their children and more of a lively, spirited group enjoying their own "second adulthood.
"
However, what is not discussed as frequently is how the seniors in the equation often want to be just as autonomous as their youthful counterparts.
Although the mature set may require assistance in some realms-physical, financial-there is a variety of available tools and resources to help them maintain and exert their independence.
1: Assisted Living Facilities No senior looks forward to the day when he will be committed to a senior citizens home.
For many, the very thought evokes images of dreary common rooms filled with neglected residents, sullenly waiting for medicine to be admitted by soulless staff.
However, scores of alternatives abound in the modern era, including assisted living facilities that can feel like the private residences from which the elderly tenants came.
Seniors can enjoy the best of both worlds as they maintain and enjoy their own living spaces with trained and compassionate nursing staff in close proximity.
2: In-home Mobility Assistants There are almost as many different modes of mobility assistants as there are seniors who use them.
Although facilities such as those mentioned above are often equipped with these senior-friendly amenities, even those who still reside in their own homes can have them specially installed.
These features include everything from walk-in baths to wheelchair lifts.
The latter is particularly helpful for seniors who are largely restricted to wheelchairs, but still seek to move about their home or facility freely and easily.
3: Senior Center Involvement Senior centers are not a new invention, but with a baby boomer turning 65 every eight seconds, the need has become more urgent and diverse.
Gone are the days of shuffleboard and day trips to the mall.
Today's seniors are seeking out more adventurous fare than their parents did upon reaching their golden years.
Today's senior centers engage the over-60 set with road trips to faraway destinations and classes on everything from Italian to samba.
Always keenly aware of their audience, these centers often even provide transportation, naturally equipped with lifts and amply-sized seating.
Golden Years Reimagined The image of the octogenarian wasting away in her home, awaiting visits from the grandkids, is a thing of the past.
Today's seniors are more energetic and active, seeking out new experiences that perhaps their children haven't even had.
As the senior population-full of people raised on dynamic lifestyles and hectic schedules-explodes in the near future, it will become even more commonplace to see the elderly being less of another charge for their children and more of a lively, spirited group enjoying their own "second adulthood.
"