There’s a quiet but painful reality that many caregivers experience: the sense that their loved ones—parents, grandparents, partners—are being treated more like houseplants than people. As long as they’re “fed and watered,” the system seems to say, everything is fine. But anyone who has ever cared for an older adult knows that true care goes far beyond basic needs.
Older adults are not just passive recipients of services. They are vibrant individuals with full histories—people who helped raise us, who taught us values, and who want nothing more than to maintain their independence, dignity, and connection to the life they built. And yet, when medical issues arise or aging begins to chip away at daily routines, many are left navigating overwhelming decisions completely alone.
As a country, we can—and must—do better.
The Growing Need for Advocacy
The healthcare system is complex, fragmented, and often focused more on procedures than people. Many older adults struggle to understand their options, get to appointments, or speak up for their preferences. Caregivers, often family members juggling full-time jobs, are thrust into roles that require them to be nurses, chauffeurs, tech support, and legal advocates—all at once.
In these moments, the need for respect, empathy, and professional support becomes clear.
That’s where organizations like Sage Solutions come in. They help families navigate everything from healthcare decisions to in-home support, acting as advocates and guides through unfamiliar territory. These services can be essential when someone doesn’t have nearby family or when the complexity of care goes beyond what one person can manage.
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Honoring the Desire to Age in Place
The majority of older adults want to stay in their own homes. This isn’t about being stubborn—it’s about comfort, identity, and self-determination. But honoring that wish requires a village, not just a checklist. They need regular connection, not just check-ins. They need their preferences respected, not brushed aside for convenience.
At UR Community Cares, we’re working every day to bridge that gap. We connect neighbors to neighbors—people who can help with the little things that make aging in place possible, from mowing lawns to navigating smartphones. But we know it takes more than that. It takes a cultural shift to start seeing older adults not as burdens or patients, but as whole people with a lifetime of contributions behind them and a right to dignity in front of them.
A Call to All of Us
If you’re a caregiver, we see you. You’re doing incredibly hard work, often invisibly. If you’re a neighbor, consider offering a hand or a hello to someone aging nearby. If you’re a policymaker or professional, let’s talk about designing systems that empower older adults instead of marginalizing them.
Let’s stop treating people like plants.
Let’s start treating them like the teachers, parents, mentors, and neighbors they are.
“Trees and plants always look like the people they live with, somehow.” – Zora Neale Hurston.
Michelle Puzzo, Executive Director
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