The skyrocketing cost of elder care

America faces an escalating elder care crisis as the baby boomer generation ages, leaving families to navigate a fragmented system with limited financial support. Medicare excludes long-term, non-medical assistance, forcing families to shoulder rising costs and sacrifice their own financial stability. Journalist Paula Span highlights that this burden falls disproportionately on women, who often balance caregiving with employment, leading to workforce exits and reduced retirement savings. Nursing homes and home care agencies face severe staffing shortages, further limiting access to professional help. While state-run programs and shared housing models offer potential relief, systemic gaps remain. Proactive measures, including clear advanced directives and the use of aging life care managers, are essential for families to manage these complex transitions. Ultimately, the reliance on unpaid family labor remains an unsustainable foundation for an aging nation.