WHY IT’S TIME
It’s time for more villages because care demands are rising, caregivers are struggling and Capitol Hill isn’t keeping up.
CARE DEMANDS ARE RISING:
America is trending older.
- By 2030, all baby boomers—an original group of 70 million people—will be 65+.
- 69% of people turning 65 today will need long-term care for an average of 3 years.
- By 2035, older people will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history.
Loneliness is at epidemic levels in the U.S.
- Loneliness is linked to early death and serious health conditions.
- All ages were impacted by loneliness, even before the pandemic.
Chronic disease rates continue to climb.
- “Diabesity” is a growing epidemic.
CAREGIVERS ARE STRUGGLING:
Family caregivers are leaving jobs & losing wealth.
- In 2020, 53 million Americans provided unpaid care.
- 39% of caregivers leave their jobs to manage care duties.
- 10 million caregivers aged 50+ who care for their parents lose an estimated $3 trillion in wages, pensions, retirement funds and benefits.
Family caregivers are facing health issues.
- 23% of caregivers report that caregiving has worsened their health.
- An estimated 20% of caregivers suffer from depression, 2X the national average.
- Family caregiver strain is projected to spur physician shortages.
Care professionals are quitting or taking their own lives.
- Low-wage workers who power nursing homes are quitting.
- The nursing home industry workforce is down to the size it was 15 ago.
- Physician suicide rate is highest of any profession at 2X the national average.
Large shortages in care workforce are expected.
- Interest in skilled nursing has plunged at community colleges.
- A shortfall of 443,600 home health aides is expected by 2025.
- A shortfall of 95,000 nursing assistants is also expected.
CAPITOL HILL ISN’T KEEPING UP:
They say, “Other countries have social safety nets. The U.S. has women.” Changing this won’t happen overnight, but we can quickly engage diverse neighbors in care efforts. Moreover, …
“As a force in shaping our health, medical care pales in comparison with the circumstances of the communities in which we live.
Few aspects of community are more powerful than is the degree of connectedness and support for individuals.”
The Loneliness Epidemic
HRSA.gov
Furthermore, …
People want to age at home.
- 90% of people 65+ surveyed by AARP want to age at home, not in a facility.
- Nursing homes cost $7.5 to $9k/month on average.
- In-home care costs about half as much.
The future of health care is in the home.
- Most care already happens in private homes.
- COVID-19 accelerated hospitals at home—“One day, hospitals will just be ERs, intensive care units and operating rooms. Everyone else will be treated at home.” Dr. Bruce Leff
- Villages can fill gaps in routine care at home.
For more details on why now’s the time to increase village making, including references, please see our call to action at FourCareFacts.com. Or learn what we do.