Thirty million American households provide caregiving for adults over the age of fifty. Like many others, I currently care for my parent alongside two other family members. If you aren’t already involved in caregiving, there’s a strong chance you will be in the future.
Some families decide that placing their elderly in facilities is the best option, while others choose to bring them into their homes. However, there’s a solution that may suit both sides perfectly: MEDCottage places, or “granny pods.”
Nursing Home and Senior Statistics
Concerning Nursing Home Statistics:
- Over 40% of nursing home residents have reported abuse, with more than 90% noting incidents of neglect.
- A 2010 study found that up to half of all nursing home caregivers admitted to elderly abuse and neglect.
- Half of all Certified Nursing Assistants admitted to verbally abusing, yelling at, and using foul language with senior residents.
- In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 15,600 nursing homes in the U.S., with about 1.7 million licensed beds.
By 2030, one in five Americans will be over the age of sixty-five, equating to seventy million people. This growing senior population will far exceed the available facilities and resources.
A 2015 AARP study revealed that 90% of seniors prefer to age in their own homes, but only 4% would choose to move in with a relative. Their ability to live independently depends on their health and available housing features.
Many seniors value safety features such as non-slip floors (80%), bathroom grab bars (79%), emergency alert systems (79%), entrance ramps (77%), and wider doorways (65%). Unfortunately, many senior homes lack these features.
Introducing MEDCottage: The Creator of “Granny Pods”
• What is MEDCottage? Reverend Kenneth Dupin founded MEDCottage in response to the limited options available to seniors regarding their living arrangements during their later years.
