Generations Now
The Latest News & Features
Providing the Value They Have Earned: Addressing Direct Care Worker Needs Through Pay, Training, Innovation and Legislation
The future of long-term care for older adults has never been more essential, yet never more precarious
Voices on Caregiving: John Poole
Millennials aren’t always the first generation to come to mind when we think about caregiving. In 2014, John Poole became his parents’ primary caregiver at age 30.
We Need to Start Thinking Seriously About Social Security
The truth is this: the Social Security Old Age and Survivors Trust Fund is forecasted to be exhausted by 2034. This is real, and it’s a problem we need to address.
Older Women, Older Black Workers Overrepresented in High-Risk Jobs
More than 24 percent of Black older workers are in frontline jobs, making them overrepresented in jobs with high exposure to the virus. This is especially true in the personal care and home health aide industry, where 21 percent of workers older than age 50 are Black, while only 10 percent of all older workers are Black.
School Openings: Let’s think about the WHOLE community – Multigenerational Families
As schools and communities around the country grapple with the question of whether or not to open for in-person learning in the fall, we thought we’d check in with a family, and recently spoke with members of a multigenerational household in North Carolina. Camerina Nava Gutierrez has lived with her daughter, Kimberly Nava Eggett, and her family for eight years. Kimberly, a teacher, has two children in elementary school.
Better healthcare access for older adults in facilities—a COVID-19 silver lining?
Two years ago, San Diego’s West Health, in partnership with the University of California San Diego Health launched a pilot study to better understand the challenges and opportunities in bringing telehealth to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The aim was to connect residents with health system providers to proactively address their needs and help reduce“panic transfers” to the emergency room (ER).
On the Intersection of Violence, Isolation and Loneliness: An Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Tung
‘About 60 percent of our study participants reported exposure to community violence—that’s two out of three patients.’
Older Workers Are Underrepresented In “Safe” Jobs in the COVID-19 Recession
‘In 2019, 34 percent of workers were ages 50 and older, totaling almost 53 million workers.’
Direct Care Work Is Real Work. It’s Time We See it That Way
‘If I could make a change, it would be for this field to show more appreciation for what we do.’
Is Solitary Confinement for Nursing Home Residents Worth the Risk of Infection?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the media has focused on numbers in nursing homes—numbers of cases, numbers of deaths—even numbers of staff or of face masks. Yet the news has missed the human experience behind those numbers.
About Generations Now
Generations Now features short-form, member-driven commentary on timely aging-related issues. Check back often for the latest posts.