For all the discussion of President Biden and former president Donald Trump’s ages, a critical issue looms large, yet remains unaddressed: the elder care crisis. Their silence on this matter is not just ironic, but deeply concerning for millions of Americans caught in the caregiving squeeze.
Would discussing these issues shine an unwelcome spotlight on the candidates' own mortality? Or is it a reflection of a broader societal denial about the challenges of aging?
America is graying, and fast. By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be of retirement age. An estimated 29 million Americans are caring for aging parents while raising their own children. These unsung heroes work unpaid “second shifts,” turn down promotions, scale back careers and sometimes leave the workforce entirely. The economic and emotional impacts of this exodus are enormous.
And it’s not just about the caregivers. Do we want a society where the elderly are warehoused in understaffed facilities, or one where they can age with dignity, surrounded by loved ones who aren’t driven to exhaustion or financial ruin?
We need a national strategy that includes support for family caregivers, expanded professional training and better funding for elder care services. We need workplaces that recognize elder care as a fact of life, offering the same flexibility and benefits we’ve come to expect for child care. We need innovative technologies and services that can ease the burden on families while improving the quality of care.
Neal K. Shah, Research Triangle Park, N.C.
The writer is the chief executive of CareYaya Health Technologies.