Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce legislation with my colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Baldwin, to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy to recognize and support the more than 40 million family caregivers in the United States. The U.S. population is aging. According to Census Bureau projections, 21 percent of our population will be 65 and older by 2040, up from just under 14 percent in 2012. Every day, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 years old, and as many as 90 percent of them have one or more chronic health conditions. Americans 85 and older--our oldest old--are the fastest growing segment of our population. This is the population that is most at risk of multiple and interacting health problems that can lead to disability and the need for round-the-clock care. At the very time that our population is aging and the need for care and support is increasing, declining birthrates mean that the population of professional and informal caregivers is shrinking. Today, there are seven potential caregivers for each person over 80 and at the highest risk of requiring long-term care. By 2030, there will be four, and by 2050, the number drops to fewer than three. As a consequence, in the future, more people will have to rely on fewer caregivers. Families will likely continue to be the most important source of support for people with long-term care needs.…”