Raising children is tough. It’s even more difficult if you’re a grandparent raising children. However, people in this increasingly common situation aren’t alone. The Area Agency on Aging has begun to offer resources to grandparents who need help raising their grandchildren.
According to Aaron Pankratz, manager of the Senior Connection Program run by the Area Agency on Aging, the biggest issues faced by seniors raising children are emotional and economic problems. The grandparents have to take on the role of parents again, because, for whatever reason, their own children are unable to raise kids. In short, the grandparents miss out on just being grandparents. Also, many seniors live on fixed incomes, which creates an economic challenge when it comes to raising children.
Fortunately, there are services that can help grandparents with such issues. At the end of August, the Senior Connection Program will release a directory of services focused on helping grandparents raising small children. These services range from support groups to getting legal council and more.
For more information, contact the Senior Connection infoline at 1-800-510-2020.
Intern Sarah Schwab wrote this week’s Community Corner. Send items for consideration to News Editor Amy Asman at aasman@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 19-26, 2010.