Caregiver Shortage Crisis: Who Will Care for Our Aging Parents?

Fragile seniors, caregiver shortage, and a broken system: The Crisis We Can’t Ignore.

In Japan, there are more diapers sold for adults than for babies. Think about that. In the US, the population of people over 65 is projected to double by 2060. And in the UK, the over-85 demographic is the fastest-growing age group.

The world and the US is getting older. Birth rates are plummeting while aging populations are growing at an unprecedented rate and I don’t think we’re doing enough to prepare.
It’s a looming crisis.

Everywhere I look, the signs are there: declining birth rates, struggling healthcare systems, and a younger generation more interested in chasing viral fame than grappling with the realities of eldercare.

If this isn’t a recipe for disaster, I don’t know what is.

From caregiver shortages to fitness and food, from immigration to healthcare, we’re failing to address the challenges aging populations bring.

Aging doesn’t have to mean frailty and dependence. Yet, unless we start taking actionable steps, that’s exactly what it will mean for millions.

The Problem of Aging Populations

When you picture a prosperous, thriving society, you probably imagine busy streets filled with kids and working adults. But what happens when the elderly outnumber everyone else? That’s the trajectory we’re on.

Aging populations demand more home care and healthcare services, caregiving, and resources than younger, more independent populations. Yet, declining birth rates mean fewer young people to fill these roles.

This challenge is made worse by cultural shifts. In the US, caregiving for aging parents is increasingly seen as a burden.

Young people, drawn to TikTok and podcasting, are choosing careers of individual expression over communal care. Many lack the skills—or the desire—to care for their aging relatives.

In Boston, for example, many professional caregiving roles are filled by African immigrants, including members of my own family.

They’ve stepped into a gap that Americans aren’t willing or able to fill. But immigration is a fragile solution.

Policies restricting immigration are going to be tightened with Trump’s ascension to power, and as fewer immigrants arrive to take on these roles, the problem will only grow worse.

Who will care for this tsunami of elderly people when caregiving resources run out?

Caregiver Shortage: Who Will Care for Us?

The rising aging population brings us to the real caregiver shortage crisis. In the US, caregiving is often seen as low-status, low-pay work. It’s emotionally demanding and physically exhausting, with little recognition or reward.

So, why is there a caregiver shortage in the US?

A rapidly increasing demand for care at home, consistently mediocre pay and a lack of sufficient supply. COVID didn’t help either.

The US gets a majority of its caregiver supply from immigration.  In fact, many of the caregivers in Boston and other cities are immigrants.

They work long hours, often for modest pay, providing a lifeline for aging Americans. Yet, immigration policies are becoming more restrictive, cutting off this vital workforce.

At the same time, younger Americans are moving further away from traditional caregiving roles. In many cultures, such as in West Africa, caring for elders is a duty, a responsibility passed down through generations.

In the US, it’s often seen as an inconvenience. This cultural shift has left a void that immigrants have filled, but it’s not sustainable.

If we continue down this path, we’ll face a caregiving crisis that no amount of policy tweaks can fix.

Policy and Healthcare Gaps

On the policy side, we’re failing too. Medicare in the US doesn’t adequately cover long-term care. Assisted living facilities are astronomically expensive, and home care services are often out of reach for middle-class families.

There’s no cohesive strategy to address the sheer volume of aging people who will need support in the coming decades.

The healthcare system is already overwhelmed. Doctors and nurses are burned out, and there aren’t enough geriatric specialists to meet demand. Meanwhile, fitness and wellness programs targeted at older adults are almost nonexistent.

We should be teaching people how to age well starting in their 40s, not waiting until they’re 70 and frail.

Can Fitness (And Food) Offer Some Help?

Aging populations are not just growing numbers, they’re growing weaker too. Muscle mass begins to decline after age 40, at a rate of about 1% per year. For strength and power, the decline is even steeper: 3-5% annually.

Without intervention, this loss of strength creates a cycle of frailty, dependence, and health complications that could have been avoided. Find simple exercises for seniors to prevent this.

This brings us to the critical yet often ignored: Fitness and resistance training.

Dr. Andrew Huberman has been vocal about this: strength training isn’t optional if we want to age well. And he’s not alone. Study after study confirms that resistance training can prevent muscle loss, improve bone density, and reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

A person who can squat their body weight at 70 is a person who can get out of a chair, carry groceries, and maintain their dignity. If you’re getting old, think long and hard about physical exercise for aging and resistance training.

I recently saw a video of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who, at 70, dominated a pull-up challenge against athletes’ decades younger. His muscle mass and physicality are indeed impressive, and they’re proof of what’s possible.

How many 70-year-olds in the US are training like RFK Jr.? Barely any. Perhaps as Trump’s new secretary of health, he’ll make resistance training “great again” for old folks.

The funny reality is that resistance training isn’t part of the conversation about aging. Public health messaging prioritizes cardio, but cardio alone doesn’t preserve strength or mobility.

We need to reframe the narrative to include lifting weights and building strength as essential components of healthy aging.

For those who are wondering how to start, the answer doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Simple strength exercises like squats, push-ups, or resistance band workouts are effective and accessible.

Community gyms could play a bigger role here, offering low-cost or free training programs for older adults. We know what works; the real challenge is convincing people to take action.

The Food Problem: Aging Starts on the Plate

Even if we solve the resistance training gap, there’s another issue: our food. The standard American diet is a catastrophe for aging well. Ultra-processed foods dominate grocery shelves, fueling chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes that accelerate aging.

It’s why all our seniors are heavily dependent on medication management to keep on.

Aging with strength and vitality starts long before retirement. It starts with what’s on your plate in your 30s and 40s.

Diets rich in whole foods—lean proteins, vegetables, healthy fats—fuel muscle growth, support bone density, and reduce inflammation. Yet, most people are eating the opposite.

Take a look around a typical supermarket. Processed snacks and sugary drinks are cheap and accessible, while fresh produce and quality proteins are expensive. This imbalance has created a nutritional crisis.

Solving this requires systemic change. An uphill task, but possible. We need policies that make whole foods affordable and ultra-processed junk less attractive.

Subsidizing healthy food and taxing unhealthy options would be a good start. Public health campaigns should also emphasize the connection between diet, strength, and aging.

It’s not enough to say, “Eat healthy.” We need to explain why it matters.

Crazy Ideas: What Can Be Done?

Here’s where my mind starts spinning with ideas.

What if we created a national initiative to train and subsidize caregivers, similar to the GI Bill but for healthcare work? What if gyms started offering free resistance training classes for people over 50?

What if schools taught kids about aging and caregiving, making it a normal part of life instead of something to avoid?

And what if we stopped demonizing immigrants who are filling critical roles in caregiving?

Instead of shutting doors, we should be creating pathways for more people to enter this field. The demand is only going to grow, and we need all the help we can get.

We also need to rethink how we market fitness to older adults. Why not show more examples like RFK Jr.? Show people that aging doesn’t have to mean decline. Make it aspirational to be strong and capable at 70.

On the food front, we need better regulation of the ultra-processed garbage that’s making us sick. Subsidize whole foods, tax junk food, and make healthy eating the easy choice instead of the expensive one.

The Bottom Line

The aging population crisis is real, and we’re woefully unprepared. From fitness to food to immigration policy, we’re missing the mark on nearly every front. If we don’t start taking this seriously, the consequences will be catastrophic—not just for older adults, but for society as a whole.

We have the tools to address this: resistance training, better nutrition, smarter policies, and a cultural shift in how we view aging and caregiving. The question is, will we act before it’s too late?

Or will we continue to kick the can down the road until the crisis is unavoidable?
These are the questions I’m sitting with, and I don’t have all the answers. But one thing is clear: we can—and must—do better.

Author Profile

Dr. Ella Njike

Founder and CEO at Global One Home Care | Website

Ella Njike is the CEO and founder of Global One Home Care, a Boston-based home care agency that offers compassionate and exclusive in-home care for seniors and people with disabilities; from the very comfort of their homes. Njike Ella believes that true care goes beyond just physical assistance. It's about forming genuine connections and fostering a sense of belonging, where every individual's journey is valued and respected. Njike's commitment is to create a holistic care experience that focuses not only on day-to-day tasks but also on emotional well-being. He embodies the values of warmth, respect, and cultural diversity and understands the importance of creating a nurturing environment that feels like home.

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