New Movement Encourages People to Make a Difference in the Lives of Older Adults

Home Instead, Inc. recently introduced Ready to CareSM, a movement aimed at inspiring people of all ages to make positive differences in the lives of older adults.

Ready to Care encourages people to complete simple acts of kindness on a weekly basis. Text messages remind and encourage members to connect with aging neighbors and loved ones.

“It is a mathematical certainty that we will not have enough people to care for the rapidly growing aging population,” said Jeff Huber, President and CEO of Home Instead, Inc. “We must inspire young people to turn their attention to the needs of older adults, and that starts with small acts of caring.”

The interactive resource also identifies opportunities to volunteer, donate and learn more about aging issues such as nutrition, isolation, dementia, mobility, health and safety. Through the Ready to Care online community, people can share their care mission experiences and inspire others to do the same.

Since its launch, Ready to Care members have completed more than 1,000 care missions. Simple actions such as, saying “hi” to a senior, helping with yardwork or assisting with groceries are just a few examples of care missions.

An AARP survey found 1 in 5 adults over age 40 were “socially disconnected,” which can have real impacts on health. In fact, people who reportedly experienced loneliness and isolation had lower mental well-being scores and those who were dissatisfied with their level of social engagement were more likely to report a decline in their cognitive functioning.

Ready to Care was created by Home Instead to support its mission of enhancing the lives of aging adults and their families. The intent is to provide more care for the growing aging population by expanding the world’s capacity to care. In less than two years, it is predicted that people aged 65 and older will outnumber children under age five for the first time in history. At the same time, the declining number of professional and family caregivers has created an urgent need for caring.

To join the Ready to Care movement, visit www.imreadytocare.com.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.