Caregiver Shortage Strains Long-Term Care Services, Impacting Families and Industry
The long-term care (LTC) industry in the U.S. is facing a significant caregiver shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This shortage is placing immense pressure on family caregivers who are often left to manage the care of their loved ones. According to Jeff Levin, vice president of OneAmerica’s care solutions distribution, families are the backbone of care but cannot shoulder the responsibility alone. The pandemic highlighted the fragility of the healthcare infrastructure, particularly for post-hospital care, as noted by Tafa Jefferson, CEO of Amada Senior Care. The demand for caregivers has increased, but the supply has not kept pace, with many caregivers seeking more skilled positions or leaving for other industries. This situation has led to a call for insurers to innovate products that support both care recipients and caregivers. Additionally, there is a push for preventive long-term care and early detection tools for cognitive impairments, which could help families plan better for future car...