July 23, 2014

Elderly face struggles with second raising

by Ariana Cherry
Sullivan Reporter

When grandparents reach the age of retirement, most of their goals consist of relaxation, travel, getting involved with new hobbies or catching up with family and grandchildren, but for some grandparents, this won’t be the story. Many grandparents here in Moultrie and neighboring counties are now finding themselves heading households and caring for their grandchildren.

According to the Illinois Department on Aging, grandparents raising grandchildren is considered an epidemic by the federal government. Common factors that result in grandparents raising their grandchildren are alcohol and drug abuse, death of a parent, divorce, neglect, abuse or abandonment, unemployment or poverty, parental incarceration, and teen pregnancy. 

    Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.