Aging America’s Hidden Crisis: Who Will Care for Us?

Long-term care is facing a staffing crunch, and it’s not just about “more funding”—it’s about the workforce pipeline and the real-world conditions that determine whether long-term care jobs can attract and retain enough people. In this episode, we break down what’s driving the demand surge, why the supply side is getting tighter over time, and what that means for families, facilities, and access to care. Yale School of Public Health's Andrew Olenski, PhD. explores who’s working in long-term care today, how foreign-born caregivers have contributed to meeting needs, and why policy proposals have struggled to match the scale of the problem. We also discuss where technology fits (and where it doesn’t), and what to watch next as legislative and funding decisions shape the future of long-term care in the U.S.