The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story about the fact that seniors are living longer and sometimes forced to care for their own parents in what are supposed to be their relaxing golden years. We believe it! Most of our caregivers are usually in their 20’s or 30’s or they are 50 and older. The Journal story profiled Bob Tiller, an 80-year old retired lobbyist for nonprofits, who manages care for his 101-year old mother. Both Bob and his mother are in continuing care facilities, but very far away from each other. If there is an emergency with his mother, he makes the five-hour drive to see her. He’s not alone. An estimated 19% of the nation’s 53 million unpaid family caregivers are 65 and older, up from 13% in 2004. Those 75 years and older make up a healthy 7% of our nation’s caregivers, according to the 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. This will continue to contribute to a growing crisis as people live longer and there aren’t enough caregivers to care for them.
