America's Eldercare Service Availability Faces Mounting Economic Issues

The economic incentives present in our current healthcare system generate many obstacles to the development of a strong workforce for eldercare services. Low pay, inconsistent training opportunities, limited public resources, and limited financial resources by patients and their families restrict the opportunities for meeting workforce needs at a time when demand will be rising. Some modest improvements-such as better coordination of care, recognition of the role of family caregivers, and targeted support for near poor families-are possible, even in a political environment where larger, needed changes likely will not take place.