Why Generational Help?
Why are we concerned?
More than 10% of American adults, around 11 million people, are providing care for an adult and child in their life, being "sandwiched" in care duties. This means that many caregivers may not have the time or capacity to always be there for their elderly loved ones.
Laws like the California Paid Family Leave Program (PFL) may help some support their older loved ones for a short amount of time during times of emergency, but does not help our elderly have in-person help in the long run.
Elderly folks in the U.S. are more likely to live alone than in any other country, with statistics from Pew Research stating that 27% of folks 60+ live alone.
Kinlessness is a rising concern in our nation today, leaving our older generations without people in their circle they trust to look after them and help them with their day-to-day needs. This is a result of people who may have stayed singles their whole lives, have been widowed and are without children, or have been through grey divorces, or divorces after the age of 40.
Tillamook County Oregon has some of the lowest rates for marriage at 35 in the state (50%) and lowest rates of college graduation in the state (22%)? These statistics could suggest that this county has a higher rate of single-person households, and that the older generations may have little experience navigating the digital world.
Most existing resources for senior citizens to get help with potential scams are for after the scam has occurred? Resources like the National Elder Fraud Hotline, FTC Online, and FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center are useful resources, but lack in helping our elder generations point out scams themselves.
Did you know...
The Risks
PEW Research Center, Online Scams and Attacks in America Today
As rates of our elderly generation spending time alone increase, the risks of them being taken advantage of by scams rises. Many senior citizens spend more than half of their waking hours alone, even when they are living with a spouse or other arrangement, these numbers are still high. 76% of adults aged 50-64 and 66% of adults aged 65+ have been the victims of online scams.
There needs to be more resources in place for these individuals to identify what is a scam and what isn't, especially with the rise of AI use in scams. AI usage in scams makes it harder for our elderly loved ones to separate what is real from what is fake, and this problem will only get worse as AI programs progress.
PEW Research Center, On average, older adults spend over half their waking hours alone
WHY WOULD SCAMMERS TARGET OUR SENIOR CITIZENS?
Scammers are known to take advantage of the politeness and manners of older citizens. They also know that technology moves so fast it sometimes leaves our elderly folks behind. Isolation makes senior citizens easier targets as they may not have a loved one to stop them from the scam before it is too late. Scammers are aware that many seniors really on large retirement savings.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE REASONS WE HAVE DECIDED TO HELP
FOSTERING CONNECTION
64% OF MILLENNIALS
36% OF BOOMERS
Around 37% of adults have a close friend that is 15 years older/younger than them. These friends are most likely made at work, but also in neighborhood gatherings, religious activities, and mutual friends. There seems to be a need for all ages for a friend, and we are here to foster that connection.
Report waning closer friendships in their life.