While there's growing focus on seniors and the care they need, far less attention is being paid to the family members who provide that care. According to AARP, in 2010, there were more than seven potential family caregivers for every person over 80; by 2030, that ratio will drop to 4:1, and by 2050, it will be less than 3:1.
In Ohio alone, people caring for older relatives provide 1.4 billion hours of care each year—that's $21 billion in unpaid labor. Younger family members, often juggling their own lives, are the ones dispensing medications, preparing meals, driving loved ones to appointments, and sorting out the financial and legal matters of aging parents.
Expanding Medicare to cover in-home care, giving tax credits for caregivers, and setting up a national paid family leave program could all help, but more solutions are needed. In partnership with WOSU Public Media's "Inside Caregiving" initiative, CMC welcomes a panel of leaders and advocates to explore how we'll care for the caregivers that older Central Ohioans will depend on.
Featuring:
Jennifer Carlson, State Director, AARP Ohio
Katie White, Director, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
Dr. Kathy D. Wright, Associate Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, The Ohio State University College of Nursing
Chanda Wingo, Director, Franklin County Office on Aging
The moderartor is Anthony Padgett, General Manager, WOSU Public Media.
The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. Our livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.
This forum was also supported by The Ellis.
This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus' historic Italian Village on February 5, 2025.
