Day 73: Our Aging Population

Posted by

Day 73:  Our Aging Population

Day 73.  There’s nothing quite as awesome as anticipation—positive anticipation anyway.  Negative anticipation sucks.  But the good kind is awesome—the kind you have when you’re getting ready to rendezvous with your new lover or, go on a really cool trip.  Well, I’m about to go on a really cool trip to Ohio.  I’ve actually never been to Ohio so I’m really looking forward to it.  But that’s not the only reason why I’m excited about this imminent journey.  I’m excited because I’m going to be a part of something special.  I’ll be playing a character that I admire in a film that I not only think is a good project but that I also believe in—it moves me on a deeply personal, soul level.  The film, Homecoming written, produced and directed by filmmaker and friend John David Hartfield, is an intimate look at one man’s struggle dealing with the sudden responsibility for his elderly father and his care.  I play his sister.  On the surface what to do looks simple but when it comes down to it, it’s not.  It never is.  The day will come for all of us when one parent or both are unable to care for themselves.  What will you do?

Time to finish packing

According to the Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, “The older population–persons 65 years or older–numbered 39.6 million in 2009 (the latest year for which data is available). They represented 12.9% of the U.S. population, about one in every eight Americans. By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million older persons, more than twice their number in 2000.”

Hell, I’ll be a hair’s breadth away from being in the “older population” myself by 2030.  My parents, God willing they’re still alive, will be 93 and 89.  It will be the older taking care of the elderly.  I’m sure there’s a sitcom in there somewhere because it’s quite a comical and sobering thought.  With longevity comes the inevitable challenge of eldercare.  According to Francine Russo’s article, “When Elder Care Brings Back Sibling Tensions” for Time Magazine,  “a new survey by the AARP- and MetLife-funded National Alliance for Caregiving, an estimated 43.5 million adults in the U.S. are looking after an older relative or friend. Of these, 43% said they did not feel they had a choice in this role.”   I wonder how many more millions of people will be looking after an older relative or friend in another 20 years?  Intense.  Okay, I’m going to get back to positive anticipation now and go finish packing.

Until tomorrow, create from what you have…an aging population.

Kelli Joan Bennett is a filmmaker, actress, writer, entrepreneur, advocate for creative thinking and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Think Outside The Box Inside The Box Media.

2 Comments

  1. You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after your heart.

  2. Hello There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn. This is a very neatly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thank you for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Day 125: Homecoming Trailer! | Think Outside the Box Inside the Box - [...] of such a wonderful and worthwhile project.  I wrote in a little more detail about the subject on Day…

Leave a Reply to jamaican slang Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *