The Caregivers

The elderly population is growing three times as fast as that of the young. Who will provide care?

Last Thursday I sat at Thanksgiving dinner with my extended family, buried in food and conversation and enjoying the soporific effect of the sweet potato-marshmallow casserole. With the kids at the card table, the elders sprinkled around the periphery, I couldn't help noticing that my generation had become the core of our large family. Try as we might to delay the growing-up process, by marrying and having children late, my sisters, cousins and I have finally graduated from the kids' table. While that has its advantages (uncontested second helpings of pie, for instance), it also confirms us as members of the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!