Bracing for the Caregiver Shortfall

On today's episode, we discuss what to expect as the silver tsunami approaches, and how we can prepare to care for our loved ones.

July 10, 2024

Podcast Episode
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00:00 | 21:32

Caregiver Trending

Bracing for the Caregiver Shortfall
Jul 09, 2024
Season 1
Episode 1
Homethrive

The population of seniors in the U.S. is about shift significantly, which could leave many aging adults with inadequate care in their golden years, or sometimes, no care at all.

Although this topic is often discussed in terms of the future, we are nevertheless beginning to see shortages in paid caregiving staff already, leaving family members to pick up the slack. Today, we discuss what to expect as the silver tsunami approaches, and how we can prepare to care for our loved ones.

To learn more about caregiving benefits that can help, visit the Homethrive website or join us for an upcoming live webinar.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Alzheimer's Association
• Teepa Snow's Online Dementia Course

Further Resources

• Alzheimer’s Association
• Teepa Snow’s Online Dementia Course

Brookings reports that “the United States’ aging population is the primary driver of an increased demand for care. The percentage of the population aged 65 and over is rapidly expanding. By the time the last of the baby boomers turn 65 in 2030, the Census Bureau projects that older Americans will make up over one-fifth of the U.S. population.”

The Census Bureau goes on to report that “the number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to increase even more by 2050, with the population of seniors projected to rise to make up nearly a quarter of the population.”

We call this anticipated senior population boom the silver tsunami. A wave of retirees in need of care all at once. Care that we as a nation are not yet prepared to meet.

If left unchecked, here’s what we can expect from these projections—significantly raised caregiving costs, increased burdens on both paid and unpaid caregivers, and subpar quality of care all around.

There are more than 48 million family caregivers nationwide, according to the AARP, 61% of which are working. These caregivers can spend up to 20 hours each week dealing with their caregiving responsibilities, and all told are providing more than $600 billion in unpaid care for their loved ones each year.

On today’s episode, we discuss what to expect as the silver tsunami approaches, and how we can prepare to care for our loved ones.