Who Will Care for Our Elders?
The senior-living industry, already grappling with a severe staffing shortage, is facing further challenges due to the current administration’s draconian immigration policies. Millions of immigrants—both eligible and undocumented workers—fill essential elder-care roles in the U.S. As they are forced out of these critical care positions—particularly as the population of Americans 65 years of age and older continues to expand—the crisis will only escalate.
A Long-Term Plan for Aging
Experts predict a crisis in long-term care as demand grows and the number of available workers decreases. The industry is facing multiple challenges, including a rapidly aging population, the potential for an even more pronounced labor shortage due to punitive immigration policies, and cost-of-care increases equaling as much as 10 percent for some services. Furthermore, according to a recent poll, significant numbers of adults have misconceptions about long-term care coverage, and only a small percentage have an assisted living plan in place. How do you assess the likelihood of needing long-term care, and what options are available to you? The NYT offers some thoughts.