What Families Need to Know about the Caregiver Shortage

Across the United States, families are facing a growing challenge: there simply aren’t enough caregivers to meet the needs of older adults who want to remain at home. For many families, the dream of aging in place in the comfort of home rather than moving to a facility depends on the availability of reliable in-home care. A shortage of caregivers is making this dream harder to fulfill.

At Kimbrough Law, we work with older adults and their families every day. In addition to legal planning, we help clients navigate the real-world challenges of aging, including finding trusted support at home. Understanding why the shortage exists (and what can be done to overcome it) is a critical part of planning for a secure and healthy future.

Why Is There a Shortage of Caregivers?

Several factors have converged to create the current caregiver shortage:

1. The Aging Population Is Growing Faster Than the Workforce

Every day, thousands of Americans turn 65. The oldest cohorts (85+) are growing the fastest. These age groups are more likely to need daily support with activities like bathing, meal preparation, mobility, and medication management. Meanwhile, the workforce of trained caregivers isn’t expanding at the same pace. This imbalance creates a gap between supply and demand.

2. Caregiving Jobs Often Pay Low Wages

Despite the essential nature of caregiving, many home care positions are low-paid and lack benefits like health insurance or retirement plans. Workers sometimes must choose between caregiving and jobs that offer better pay, stability, and growth opportunities.

3. Physical and Emotional Demands Are High

Home care work is physically demanding. Tasks like lifting, transferring, and helping with mobility require caregivers to have physical strength. Home care can also be emotionally draining. Burnout is common. Without adequate support, training, and compensation, retaining caregivers becomes difficult.

4. COVID’s Ripple Effects Still Matter

The pandemic disrupted labor markets, revealing vulnerabilities in long-term care systems. Some workers left the field permanently due to health concerns, stress, or lack of workplace protections. Those shifts continue to impact caregiver availability today.

What This Means for Families

If you are planning for in-home care or dealing with a loved one who needs it right now, the caregiver shortage can feel overwhelming. Home care providers may have long waiting lists, limited hours available, or staff turnover that makes continuity of care a challenge.

What Families Can Do

Here are some steps you can take to navigate the shortage, find quality support, and plan strategically.

1. Start Planning Early

Care needs often evolve slowly over time. When possible, begin exploring options before a crisis hits. Advance planning increases your chances of securing dependable care and gives you time to compare providers, costs, and care plans.

2. Understand Different Types of Care

Not all support is the same. Options include:

• Companion care: Assistance with social interaction, errands, and light household tasks.

• Personal care: Help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility.

• Skilled care: Provided by licensed professionals for medical or clinical needs.

  
  

Understanding what level of help is needed makes it easier to communicate with agencies or individuals and find appropriate caregivers.

3. Work With Reputable Home Care Agencies

Licensed home care agencies usually perform background checks, handle payroll and taxes, and can step in with backup staff if a caregiver is unavailable. While some families hire independent caregivers directly, agencies can offer more security and administrative support.

4. Explore Community and Government Programs

Depending on income and health needs, there may be local or state support available. Medicaid, Veterans Affairs programs, and your local Area Agency on Aging can sometimes provide financial assistance or care coordination resources.

5. Consider Flexible Options

In some cases, families create shared caregiving arrangements, rotating shifts among relatives or combining formal care hours with family support. Short-term or respite care can also give family caregivers a break while bridging gaps in coverage.

6. Prioritize Legal and Financial Planning

Care decisions are deeply connected to legal and financial readiness. Documents like these ensure that health preferences and designation of agents are clear when caregiving decisions become urgent:

• Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare

• Financial Powers of Attorney

• Long-term care funding plans

• Caregiver Agreements

At Kimbrough Law, we help families build legal plans that align with their care wishes and financial realities. But that’s not all. We also help families find the right care in the right place at the right time for elderly loved ones. When caregiving decisions loom on the horizon, having a solid plan can reduce stress and protect your loved one’s future.

Aging in Place Doesn’t Have to Be a Dream Deferred

Yes, caregiver shortages present a real difficulty, but they don’t make home care impossible. With proactive planning, trusted legal guidance, and a clear understanding of your options, you can find the support your loved ones need.

If you’re thinking about home care now or you want to prepare for a need in the future, our team at Kimbrough Law is here to help you plan for what lies ahead. Call 706.850.6910 to schedule a consultation.