It is estimated that the 592,000 people aged 65 and older in Minnesota will more than double by 2030. As this population ages, they will inevitably experience an increase of functional or physical limitations in the activities of daily living, resulting in increased medical and health care needs and other supports. The aging population will result in the proportion of seniors living alone continuing to increase. The number of those households with seniors living alone will more than double in the next 40 years. In addition, the number of adult children available to care for parents will be at an all time low.
Families can only do so much with all of the emotional, financial and time pressures that they face.
They will also need supports and assistance in caring for aged loved ones. With less available family supports, seniors will have to look to other informal and formal sources for assistance. Ability to purchase needed services and supports will also become an important issue. Medical, health care and drug costs will only continue to rise as will the need for long-term care and supports. The availability and affordability of these long-term services and supports will determine whether a person will be able to remain in their own home and own community.