What Will Life Be Like for Seniors After COVID-19? Questions Worth Considering in These Changing Times

At Tacoma Elder Care we are always looking for ways to educate and assist the aging population here in the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Tacoma Elder Care was created by Bob Michaels, an elder care attorney in Tacoma who goes above and beyond the basic legal needs of his constituents. Bob holds regular Workshops and discussions with many local organizations (and individuals) focused on improving and providing assistance to the elder population. As times adapt and change to what we are now all calling, “the new normal,” Bob wants you to know he is available for free consultations regardless of your age or situation.

For now, and the foreseeable future, things have changed dramatically for those over 65. Considering older people are typically, ‘less healthy than others,’ COVID-19 has hit the elderly at a significantly higher rate than younger people. Those who are hospitalized are isolated, even if they’re not ill, and many are struggling to make meaningful contact with loved ones using technology they are unfamiliar with. Additionally, the pandemic is underscoring chronic problems in our healthcare, hospitals, and nursing home facilities.
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Which begs the question, what will it be like to be an older person in the future?

After 9/11, many things changed. Travel changed, security measures changed, and general awareness changed. We became more concerned about our safety. We paid closer attention to people and unusual things around us.

So how will this pandemic affect our lives years from now? And how will life as a senior citizen change?

Here are some questions to consider:

• Will middle-aged people wonder and worry more about how the older generation is doing and will that change their behavior?
• If a decision is made for us to live in a facility will it be in a place that’s undergone more rigorous regulatory control?
• Will more families think about adapting their houses and lifestyle to accommodate our living with them?
• Will there be greater emphasis on seniors aging in place? Or sharing homes?
• Will our society move closer to a universal health insurance concept, essentially like Medicare for all? If so, will that dilute the coverage and care seniors already have? What other unintended consequences will result?
• Will there be more regulations placed on businesses and services to accommodate more seniors or, just the opposite, will there be more restrictions on serving seniors who are more at risk? Will there be a surge of new services to help seniors with their daily lives, such as greater emphasis on delivering food and goods?
• Will young people take a greater interest in their ancestry, realizing more fully how precarious life can be for an older person? Will we see more memoirs written?
• Will the Social Security safety net, or its equivalent, be set at a level more adequate for seniors who are totally dependent on that income?
• Will distance learning and continuing education, now forced for everyone, be used at greater levels by an older generation now more comfortable with technology?
• Will there be more emphasis in the health community on geriatric medicine?

 
Bob Michaels is extremely passionate about providing the best possible legal experience for his clients, and focuses his practice on elder law, estate planning, business, and real estate matters. Bob has been able to provide piece of mind and a solid foundation to many folks in the Puget Sound area over the years and wants to provide resources and relevant information whenever he can. For more information on how Bob can help you and your loved ones through these troubling times, contact Bob to schedule a FREE consultation HERE.