The Changing Landscape of Caregiving
By Anila Sitaram Venkat
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, 20% of Americans will be 65 years or older, up from 13% in 2009. This trend represents a confluence of two factors: an aging Baby Boomer population and the fact that people are living longer than ever before.
This trend will no doubt have far-reaching implications, from creating a shortage of geriatricians and nurses trained to care for the elderly, to placing an increased burden on our hospitals and long-term care facilities. However a lesser recognized impact is the strain that this trend will place on caregivers: the family and friends charged with taking care of their elderly loved ones.