Oldest of the Old
After the age of 75, personal needs begin to change noticeably, with most persons requiring some type of supportive services. San Francisco has more than 14,200 people over 85. These seniors are more likely to be female and poor, and most need long-term care services. By 2010, U.S. census projections estimate that San Francisco will have 22,600 people over 85.
These are the oldest of the old — those most in need of home care services as long as possible to avoid institutionalization.
Approximately 60% of our clients are over 60 years old, 40% younger adults. Many are too frail, ill, or cognitively impaired to hire or supervise Home Care Providers on their own. Others have personality difficulties or substance-abuse issues that make it difficult to retain workers.
The need for IHSS is expected to grow dramatically in coming years with increasing life spans and the aging of the Baby Boomer generation. Seniors age 60 and older make up more than 17% of San Francisco’s population, compared to 14% in California as a whole. The 65+ population is projected to increase by 45% from 2000 to 2025, and the number of frail elderly over age 85 is expected to nearly double — increasing by 87%.
Supervision
Supervision levels are geared to individual needs — less intensive for clients needing home care with occasional intervention, more intensive for those with severe impairment or dysfunctions such as self-neglect, destructive behavior, mental illness, substance abuse, or advanced dementia.
At the most intensive level, supervision may also require time-consuming problem solving or referrals to other long-term care or mental-health services to support a client’s ability to continue living independently at home.
