Supply Chain Shortages in 2023: What Caretakers Should Expect

American consumers have been aware of shortages in goods and supplies since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. Historically, seniors may have lived through prior periods of economic uncertainty like The Great Depression, which can help the seniors and their caregivers cope with alternatives.

What Causes Supply Chain Management Problems?

According to a 2022 article in The Economist, "the Omicron variant has worsened the logjams by forcing workers, in many industries... to quarantine." This means that the Coronavirus made many workers work remotely or shut down facilities entirely for people to recover. 

Here are other events that cause disruptions in the supply of goods:

• Illnesses (new and old variants of viruses and even the flu)
• Natural disasters that interrupt trade
• Changes in the suppliers' companies (like opening companies)
• International strife and trade uncertainty
• Political, regional instability, and domestic woes

How Does This Impact Seniors? 

This may impact seniors and their caregivers when they notice changes in paying at the grocery store, inconvenience in terms of product loss, or feelings of concern about drug shortages. In late 2022, Supply Chain Dive noted an amoxicillin shortage in the United States, which is the type of medication that vulnerable seniors would need during cold and flu season.

How Can Seniors and Their Caregivers Prepare for Supply Chain Woes?

While some of these incidents, items, and supply chain problems are uncontrollable, a little creative shopping and planning can circumvent these problems. While one approach is to rely on the industries and economy to strengthen itself, another is to anticipate supply chain problems.

Here's how to cope with shortages:

• Look for news about it in the media
• Don't give into the panic, and remember the media may sensationalize the stories
• Look up the items already theorized as subject to shortages in 2023
• Stock up on these items 
• Find alternative ways to purchase them
• Find products in shortage online and elsewhere

Here's a list of some products and goods likely to experience a shortage in 2023:

• Lettuce

According to Parade magazine's findings about the shortage, lettuce has technically been overpriced "nearly 400% since 2019." The reason being given for this shortage is domestic. Those involved say a crop disease is a culprit. With some of these items, it's worth considering whether the long-term markup and continued loss make switching to comparable ingredients preferable in 2023.

• Antibiotics, cold medicine, OTC products, and high-demand medication

Some economists believe that medicinal shortages aren't due to a lack of chemical production overseas and theorize that changes in the demanding fuel the problems. Flu season and many Americans becoming ill might be what drives shortages in some medications. Senior Helpers recommends vaccinating against airborne disease, purchasing cold or flu products in the offseason, and using medication carefully.

• Baby formula

While this one might not be as impactful for seniors, Fast Company warns that the baby formula shortage will continue.

Seniors can combat product-related shortages by stocking up on items, continuing to conserve materials, and doing plenty of online shopping to mitigate in-store markups when the supply drops.

About Senior Helpers Whittier-Downey

Senior Helpers in East Los Angeles is looking forward to helping seniors in Bell Gardens, Downey, Pico Rivera, Whittier, and other neighborhoods transition into 2023 and move onwards. Contact us about ways to combat supply chain issues and shop ahead to avoid potential price-gouging.