The Changing Face of Caregiving with Sourcewise: Challenges, Resources, and Hope for the Future

As more Americans navigate multigenerational care, the demands on family caregivers continue to grow. We sat down with experts from Sourcewise – whose mission is to provide adults and their caregivers the tools and services they need to effectively navigate their health and life options – to discuss the realities of caregiving today, including challenges, innovations, and the hope for a more connected, compassionate future.

Question: With more families navigating multigenerational care, what trends are you seeing in the needs of today’s caregivers?

Sourcewise: One of the biggest challenges facing the “sandwich generation” is time and bandwidth. They’re being pulled in so many directions: children, parents, work, and sometimes community involvement as well. It’s easy to schedule your life, but life rarely follows your schedule. For these families, there’s always something that needs attention, which can quickly lead to caregiver burnout.

The biggest need is help. Whether that help comes formally through an agency or government program, or informally from friends and family, it’s impossible to do this alone. Caregivers need consistent, accessible support.

Question: Caregiving can take a toll on emotional, physical, and financial health. What are some of the biggest challenges caregivers face, and what resources are most impactful in addressing them?

Sourcewise: Caregiving is challenging on so many levels. Emotionally, the extra work is incredibly taxing. On top of that, caregivers often face a relationship shift with their loved one — a role reversal between child and parent, a friend needing far more help, or the changing dynamic between spouses when one becomes dependent on the other. This can be difficult for many caregivers who suddenly find themselves in a very different type of relationship than before.

The physical toll can be just as difficult. When two adults are aging and one must care for the other, it’s possible that the caregiver may not be physically able to perform the necessary tasks. When the caregiver is smaller in stature or lacks the needed strength, it can create safety concerns and add stress for both people.

Many caregivers turn to hiring outside help, but this can be very costly and typically is not sustainable over a long period of time.

Connecting with resources is essential to addressing these challenges:

• Support groups are a great way to connect with other caregivers, hear their stories, and learn what solutions worked for them
• Getting in-home assistance can also be funded in several ways:
  • Low-income care recipients may qualify for in-home services paid through Medicaid, while veterans have options through the VA
  • Respite grants which are available through local Area Agencies on Aging, national groups like the Alzheimer’s Association, and even new Medicare benefits, can offer relief and help offset costs

Question: Isolation is a common risk factor for both caregivers and older adults. How can communities better foster connection and support systems for aging populations and those who care for them?

Sourcewise: There are many reasons someone may become isolated, and depending on the reason, there are often solutions. For example, if an older adult can no longer drive, transportation to a senior center can help them reengage with the community and socialize. Some communities even have volunteer drivers to supplement official transportation resources.

If isolation stems from being homebound, “friendly visitor” programs are an amazing way to create human connection. Many communities have volunteer initiatives that pair homebound adults with visitors, sometimes even high school students, creating meaningful relationships that benefit both.

For rural communities or areas with fewer volunteers, virtual visits can be a lifeline. Agencies and organizations often send someone to help older adults learn to use technology for virtual visits, and some programs even offer free laptops or tablets so clients can connect with friends and family who live far away.

Question: What innovations or approaches give you the most hope for the future of caregiving and aging support?

Sourcewise: Technology that helps caregivers access support quickly and easily so they can connect to resources, self-care tools, and stress management programs, as well as agencies that can provide hands-on assistance.

Tools such as virtual check-ins and medical alert devices with fall detection bring caregivers peace of mind when they can’t be physically present or are providing care from a distance. Texting with care providers or care management agencies allows busy caregivers to stay connected and informed.

To take it one step further – innovations like medical garments that track heart rate, blood oxygen, fall detection, and sleep duration, give caregivers real-time insights into their loved one’s well-being. These kinds of advancements offer hope for a future where caregiving is more supported, connected, and sustainable.