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Confronting the nation's crisis of care

A home health aide massages the fingers of a patient during a visit in Miami, Florida.
A home health aide massages the fingers of a patient during a visit in Miami, Florida.

By 2030, the Census Bureau estimates that the nation’s population will consist of more adults over 65 than children.

As the youngest of the baby boomers enter their sixties, and younger adults are having children later in life, many Americans – from Gen Z to Gen X – are finding themselves sandwiched between taking care of elderly parents and young kids at the same time.

An analysis by Pew Research shows that more than half of adults over 40 are juggling these split caregiving responsibilities, most doing so while balancing full-time employment.

Today’s 65-year-olds  have a 70 percent likelihood of needing long-term care in the future, all while the supply of home health aides is dwindling.

Nursing homes are also increasingly costly and inaccessible for families of low and moderate incomes.

We discuss what it’s like to balance caring for young kids and aging adults simultaneously and answer your questions about how to manage your money or time as a family caregiver.

Copyright 2023 WAMU 88.5

Lauren Hamilton