WASHINGTON D.C. – In response to a new study by the RAND, funded by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Lockheed Martin, AARP and the Lilly Endowment that states that more than 105 million people provide unpaid care across the country Nicole Jorwic, chief of advocacy and campaigns at Caring Across Generations, released the following statement:
“Care is the core of who we are and it is what binds us as a society. From the time we are born, we rely upon the care of others – it is the work that makes all other work possible. And it’s not just work, it’s a fundamental part of life. Across political, racial and generational divides, we care for our children, our elders, disabled loved ones, and extended family and friends as a practice of our shared values.
“As we grow as a society, caregiving will continue to grow as well. Together, we must create a future in which caring for our loved ones is no longer an isolating experience, with some of us bearing the lion’s share of the weight while feeling alone and invisible. By recognizing that we all have care in common, we can ensure that we are connected, supported, and uplifted as we care. In doing so, we not only build a stronger, more equitable and resilient economy, but we free future generations from the norms that keep us from the care we deserve. This updated data creates a clear picture of what must be done to support those who need care and caregivers, investing in paid leave, aging and disability care and child care, to support the 40 percent of us who are currently filling in the gaps that our care systems leave behind.”
###
Caring Across Generations is a national organization of family caregivers, care workers, disabled people, and aging adults working to transform the way we care in this country so that care is accessible, affordable and equitable— and our systems of care enable everyone to live, work, and age with dignity.
To achieve our vision, we transform cultural norms and narratives about aging, disability and care; win federal and state-level policies; and build power amongst the people touched by care. For more information, visit caringacross.org.