Texas is Aging Fast
By 2040, the number of Texans over the age of 65 will account for a full 1/5 (or 20%) of the state’s entire population. This growing population faces unique challenges and requires a unique set of resources—something family caregivers are all-too-familiar with. However, studies into the needs of elderly individuals had taken a back seat to flashier issues. Thankfully, one of Texas’s biggest universities is dedicating a massive amount of funding, resources, and physical space to the challenge. Maintaining a healthy and vital elderly population is essential.
New Facility to House Research into Longevity and Quality of Life
The University of Texas recently opened a new facility that consolidates the college’s considerable body of research on aging and longevity in one central location. The new Texas Aging and Longevity Center (or TALC), will be located at the University of Texas’s Austin Campus. Here UT will house researchers and support studies that were previously spread over the colleges 12 campuses.
This new facility will become a hub of research and will host a series of events designed to attract and retain some of the best and brightest minds in the field of aging and longevity. The goal is improving the lives of elderly individuals and the caregivers who provide essential services for them.
Some of the key events the TALC will host include: speaking events, training workshops, clubs.
It is hoped this renewed investment in studies concerning elderly living will help gain new insight into common problems for all aging individuals in Texas, such as:
Social isolation
Brain aging
Technology and aging
Early life predictors of health and longevity
Academia has been slow to catch up. Indeed, family caregivers have been shouldering the burden of a rapidly aging population in Texas for decades. These individuals have been on the front line combating problems like:
Alzheimer’s and dementia
Mobility
Lack of elderly services
Aging in place
Societal and Social Challenges have an Impact as Well
Now, with the power of The University of Texas behind the charge, perhaps the next generation of family caregivers in Texas will stand a better chance. In addition to research concerning treatments and cures for common ailments, TALC will take a much closer look at longevity and quality of life issues. Though not directly tied to disease, these social, mental, and communal issues have a tremendous impact.
In fact, physical concerns have devastating effects; social anxiety, isolation, and depression have been scientifically proven to shorten lifespans and dramatically decrease quality of life. Longevity and quality of life are two key issues for caregivers in Texas.
However, until this new think tank gets up a full head of steam, the burden of caring for individuals aging in place will still fall on family caregivers. If you’ve been taking care of an aging loved one and have reached a point where you need some outside assistance, contact Second Family Home Care today.
We offer a wide range of services throughout Texas to help assist family caregivers so they can feel good about taking time to care for themselves. Get in touch online or call (972) 347-0700 to schedule an assessment.