Senior Orphans
The word “orphan” usually conjures images of helpless children with no one to care for them, but that same term can apply to senior citizens as well. It is becoming a growing problem with seniors who fall through the cracks of the healthcare system. Senior orphans are people over age 65 who have no close relatives, are isolated from family either because of dysfunctional relationships or geographic distances, or who have family members who take advantage of them financially.
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With more single adults and fewer women having children to potentially care for them in old age, the plight of senior orphans has become a significant health problem. Nearly 25 percent of Americans over age 65 are at risk of becoming senior orphans, according to a study from researchers at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.
I saw problem first-hand with an elderly client who lived with his sister. Both had made quite a bit of money in their careers, but once in their eighties, both developed dementia and mental illness. They had years of magazines and unopened mail stacked in their home and had meals delivered in order to survive. A neighbor “befriended” them and had them sign over power of attorney documents so he could “help them” pay bills. In doing so, that neighbor also helped himself to money from their accounts. I intervened by calling Catholic Charities, which in turn contacted the state guardianship office. The siblings were moved to an assisted living home, where they did quite well with adequate support and treatment for their multiple medical problems.
This story had a happy ending. Unfortunately, not all do. But there are steps people can take to prevent themselves from falling prey to a “helpful” neighbor or family member… Read More… Senior Orphans…
