In twenty years, an estimated fourteen million people will need long-term care: twice as many as today. There is already a shortage of nurses and other caregivers in the United States. Who will care for us in the future, and how will we pay for it?

In this provocative video we meet some of the families and other caregivers who are struggling daily with the problems of caring for aging parents: Kathy gave up her job to take care of her mother, who has dementia, at home. The family's choice has severely restricted their activities; Kathy's husband says it has "put our lives on hold." Lela, a Certified Nurses Aide in rural eastern Oregon, takes her skills and friendship from house to house in an effort to help her clients continue living on their own. The closeness and mutual support of a small community are a great help, but at the same time her patients suffer from a lack of local medical services, and the high price of medicines.

Carmenita sought out her estranged mother and cared for her at home, even though her mother, who now has Alzheimer's, no longer recognizes her. Seiza is caring for her father, who has vascular dementia, as well as two children and a husband — she is in some ways a typical example of the "sandwich generation" squeeze. Despite an innovative multi-family home situation, they still feel a desperate need for respite services.

"An important wake-up call concerning the serious challenges we will be facing during the coming years in the area of geriatric healthcare. Highly recommended."Video Librarian