A pressing issue for federal and state policymakers is whether demographic changes, including reduced rates of marriage and childbearing, increased rates of divorce, and rising labor force participation among working-age women, will create a shortfall of caregivers for aging baby boomers and increase rates of unmet need for assistance and reliance Medicaid. The descriptive analysis in this brief provides a cross-sectional snapshot of current family situations, long-term care needs, and strategies to address these needs in a cohort of older adults, including the initial wave of baby boomers. Our findings suggest that although demographic trends may increase the proportion of older adults without spouses or children, most of these individuals may still accommodate their long-term care needs without adverse consequences or increased reliance on Medicaid.
Subtitle
Implications for Baby Boomers
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