As the average age and life expectancy continues to increase there is a growing phenomenon of caregivers who are themselves elderly. There are many difficulties that can arise in situations where the old are caring for the old. The number of people over seventy five having to care for an elderly spouse, sibling, or parent has been increasing. The responsibilities involved with caring for an elderly loved one can create a lot of emotional and physical strain. Caregiving requires a lot of intensive work and the person providing it has to make major time commitments. Many are calling for more public services that would provide assistance to elderly caregivers.
See Paula Span, More Caregivers Are No Spring Chickens Themselves, New York Times, July 3, 2015.
Special thanks to Lewis Saret for bringing this article to my attention.
