A routine annual report from the Department of Social Services gained the attention of New Hanover County Commissioner Skip Watkins. As he listened to the end-of-fiscal-year report presented June 22 that outlined accomplishments, the number of adults and children served and other statistics, one stood out:
In April of this year, the county social services was serving as guardian for 108 senior citizens, compared with 57 just four years ago. The number represents a growing issue. The demographics of an aging society will have a significant financial impact on the government and the economy, Watkins said during Monday’s meeting.
“It bowled me over,” he said.
As baby boomers head into retirement and beyond, the need for services will only grow, he said, during a Wednesday, June 24 interview. Coming at the issue as a financial adviser who is aware of the potential for financial abuse of elderly clients by families and trusted advisers, Watkins said, “I guess I have a unique perspective, having seen it.”
However, he was surprised when he saw the statistic on guardianship, which generally occurs when an older adult loses the ability to handle his or her own affairs and does not have a family member willing or competent to take on the role.
“We’re an aging population,” he said. “Baby boomers have traveled through time. We’ve made and broken industries. Where we go, the economy goes,” he said.
Watkins, a Republican, emphasized he is not interested in creating more government programs, but he believes both the public and private sectors will have a role in ensuring an infrastructure exists to take care of older adults who cannot take care of themselves.
At a recent conference among his fellow financial advisers, Watkins attended a workshop that dealt with the sensitive issue of approaching the children of an older client possibly needing help, who appears to be losing his or her faculties, without violating the confidentiality his profession promises. Oftentimes casual acquaintances are quicker to spot changes than people close to a relative, he said.
A number of agencies, public and private, are working to address various aspects of what already is a significant policy issue: healthcare, in home services, transportation, socialization, financial planning, home repair and others.
Watkins would like to see the public more involved. Many older residents don’t have family nearby, or have children who work and are busy raising their own children. Neighbors or other good Samaritans could be a resource, he said.
“Do we find a ‘Big Buddies’ program for seniors?” Watkins asked. There also are many roles for volunteers to play on advisory boards, including one that inspects adult care homes and whose members are overworked, he said.
But he also acknowledged government must somehow be involved.
“We can’t ignore it,” he said.
Mostly, he thinks public officials, including the board of commissioners, need to keep an eye on this trend.
“I see the problem; I don’t know the answer,” Watkins said.
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