Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | October 21, 2024 | wbjournal.com Family Services of Central Massachusetts (FSCM) is a valuable resource for seniors who are "aging in place" as homeowners and community members. When daily activities require assistance, FSCM provides support through its person-centered programs that include Senior Companion and Home Care. Active seniors, 55 and over, can join RSVP Volunteers of Central Massachusetts who share their time, talent, and enthusiasm within the community. Seniors find the right fit for their needs at FSCM—call today! Home Care: 508.756.4696 • Senior Companion & RSVP: 508.796.1805 695 Main Street, Holden MA 01520 Phone: (508) 829-5566 holdenhearingaid.com/audiologist HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HEARING EVALUATION? Matthew Moreno, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology • Hearing Aids • Batteries & Accessories • Assistive Listening Devices • Amplified Phones • Hearing Evaluations • Wax Removal • Hearing Protection • Musician's Ear Plugs • Swim Plugs Our goal is to improve the lives of people with hearing loss through better hearing and quality hearing care services. We offer comprehensive hearing care services including complete hearing evaluations, hearing loss rehabilitation, education and counseling. GUEST COLUMN BY ETHAN BELDING G randfamilies are families in which grandparents serve as the primary care- givers of their grandchil- dren. is population has grown dramatically in Central Mas- sachusetts over the past decade due to issues such as the opioid epidemic. Grandfamilies oen form from trau- matic events. For example, the intergen- erational research think tank Genera- tions United estimates of the 2.4 million children living in grandfamilies, 28% have experienced neglect, 11% physical abuse, and 26% are in a grandfamily due to a parent's substance-abuse disor- der. e grandparents face challenges as well. Of those raising grandchildren: • 39.0% are not in the workforce • 16.4% live in poverty • 24.6% have a disability • 32.9% are unmarried According to Generations United, a significant challenge facing grandfami- lies is housing, because: • Grandfamilies oen form unexpect- edly, with little or no time to plan for appropriate housing. • A small apartment may be adequate for one or two people but is unsuit- able for more, especially children. • Even if grandparents qualify for subsi- dized housing, they might not obtain an appropriately sized apartment as they are not the legal guardian. • e presence of children may violate private lease agreements and occu- pancy standards and put the grand- parents at risk of eviction. • e expenses of raising children can mean the grandparents can no longer afford their existing housing. e need for grandfamily housing is significant as traditional elder or subsi- dized housing does not meet families' needs. As senior citizens have a higher rate of living in publicly assisted hous- ing than non-seniors, it may be inferred a similar proportion of grandchildren living with their grandparents is to be living in subsidized housing as well. Senior units are generally small, designed for one or two residents, with limited living room areas and only one bedroom. Nearly all units have income restrictions as well as space limitations, and, a significant number of these grandchildren may not be officially reg- istered with the owners of such projects. Grandparents may face the choice of taking in their grandchildren and becoming homeless or putting them in foster care, where they have little to no control over the children's day-to-day life. Even if the grandparents are able to take in their grandchildren without fear of eviction, unless senior units are locat- ed in mixed, multigenerational projects, they do not generally have play areas providing safe recreation space. Living in a community where mem- bers face similar challenges is beneficial to grandfamilies, as it helps reduce stigma and provides the grandparents with peers to relate to. In addition to the need for this social support, there is substantial evidence inter-generational living situations in general are benefi- cial as it reduces social isolation, allows chores to be shared, and youth can their grandparents become more technologi- cally fluent. Most at-risk grandfamilies end up in their situation due to factors far beyond their control. Providing grandfamilies with affordable, accessible housing is a crucial step in order to ensure these families have the resources they need to thrive. Ethan Belding is vice president and chief strategy officer for Worcester human services nonprofit Senior Connection. The need for grandfamily housing W

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