As the holidays fade into the distance, the lingering memories for many of us are ones of family time: generations under one roof, spending precious time together. What often becomes apparent during these moments are the realities of aging…parents and grandparents…and the extraordinary impact, particularly on women.
It is often said that aging is a woman’s issue. It is true that women live longer than men. Women have experienced a longer life expectancy in almost every society for many decades. While they enjoy the gift of longevity, it often comes with months or years as a caregiver. They care for their children and their aging parents—often at the same time. About a quarter of women 45-64 years old and 1 in 7 of those 35 to 44 are caring for an older relative according to the 2016 American Time Use Survey. And, there is increasing awareness that at least 1.4 million children under the age of 18 provide significant care to a parent or grandparent.
Given the thousands of hours of care, how can we better support our caregivers? The depth and breadth of assistance they provide should not be overlooked or unsupported, given our rapidly aging society. Public policies need to acknowledge this rather than ignore it, as they do now. The demands of caregiving impact personal finances, personal health, school, family life, and employment. In short, a person’s entire life.
LeadingAge advocates for two major policy directions that will make a demonstrable difference:
- We need a fair and rational financing system to ensure access to quality services and supports to help people as they age. Fifty percent of older adults will need these services—assistance with bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and administering medications, to name a few. And yet, the only way to pay for services is out of savings or retirement income. With the exception of those who qualify for Medicaid, existing insurance—Medicare in particular—is of no help. And, even if funds are available… (Read our new report – A New Vision for Long-Term Services and Supports.)
- We put women and families in an untenable situation as they search for services, try to coordinate among service providers, and find little in the way of choice. We have settled for a long-term services and supports system that is plagued by inadequate funding, coordination, and choice. As it exists today, it places enormous pressure on women and families and leaves older adults disconnected and depressed. And, that’s just today. We are grossly ill-prepared to meet the needs in the future. (Read our new report – Integrated Service Delivery: A LeadingAge Vision for America’s Aging Population.)
As we settle into the new year, it is imperative that we focus on what is and what will be as the number of older adults grows exponentially. And, that we act on our moral obligation to support those who have given many years of their lives to building our communities.
They deserve nothing less.