The centenarian population continues to rise, as it’s expected to increase by 800% between 2015 and 2050. Of course, you might be asking yourself, “what is a centenarian?” as this term isn’t widely used. The centenarian definition is simply a way to recognize individuals who are one hundred years of age or older. People are continuing to live much longer in society, as retirement planning is more important than ever. Society must also find a way to take care of a population that’s living much longer than previous generations.
The Life and Story of Hester Ford
Hester Ford was the oldest living American that passed away at 116 years of age on April 17, 2021. She was surrounded by all of her loved ones at home, as she left behind a legacy that included 12 children, 48 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and 120 great-great-grandchildren.
Ford lived in Charlotte for over 58 years, as she was the pillar of her family. She also lived through numerous historical events, as she was born on August 15, 1904, in the town of Lancaster, South Carolina.
She worked on a farm during her childhood and eventually moved to Charlotte in 1953. Ford also worked as a nanny with the same family for over two decades. Faith always played a big role in her life, as she believed anything was always possible.
The life of Hester Ford is an inspiration for living a long and healthy life while making an impact on countless people. The family asks that the public reflects on how far the nation has progressed since she was born and how they can continue to aspire to make the world a better place.
What If I Live to 100?
Living to the age of 100 is a dream come true for many people, as the life story of Hester Ford is a true inspiration. The odds of living to 100 continue to increase due to the advances in medical treatment and healthcare. However, reaching the age of a centenarian isn’t without a few challenges. For example, you may need a caregiver to help you with day-to-day chores or provide assistance with various duties around the house. Unfortunately, the salary for a caregiver is much lower compared to other professions, as it can often be less than $17,000 per year. Such a low salary makes it difficult to attract quality caregivers, which creates a significant shortage for a large group of individuals that are living much longer.
Here are a few simple ideas that can help society overcome these challenges.
1) Raise Wages of Caregivers
One of the best ways to help overcome these difficulties is to increase the salary of caregivers. Being a caregiver is an important job that requires a lot of patience, and it can’t be done by simply anyone. Raising the wages of caregivers can help attract more people and ensure there isn’t a shortage of these individuals. Adding benefits is also helpful in making caregivers an attractive option for anyone considering this career.
2) Increase Training Opportunities
Not everyone can fulfill the responsibilities of a caregiver, as it’s important to provide special training for these roles. Offering additional training opportunities will increase the number of qualified caregivers, which makes it much easier for family members to find top-quality professionals to take care of their loved ones.
3) Continue to Find Ways to Improve
Another important step is to always look at ways to improve instead of remaining satisfied with the status quo. One way you can improve caregiver services is to ask seniors how caregivers can offer better services and improve their quality of life. Collecting all of this data together can help improve the industry and provide the best services possible.
4) Find Ways to Educate Potential Caregivers
Understanding how to educate and better train caregivers is essential in helping them offer top-quality services for each person. Offering the proper training and education is essential in taking care of an ever-increasing number of centenarians.
Alternative Retirement Strategies
Looking at ways to make changes to the system is important for retirement planning. The number of people living to 100 is expected to rapidly increase within the next three decades, as now is the time to begin implementing these changes. Increasing wages for caregivers, providing more training, and offering more education can play an important role in implementing alternative retirement strategies. While finding alternative retirement strategies isn’t always simple, it’s still important to find ways to overcome these challenges for an aging population.
The odds of living to 100 will only continue to increase due to the advancement in healthcare and technology. However, a population that’s living much longer poses a few challenges. Taking the time for retirement planning is essential in helping you prepare for the next phase of your life to ensure it’s filled with many more healthy, happy, and long years to come.