Second, to discuss current federal initiatives aimed at easing the burdens of family caregivers in providing long-term care. In particular, we will focus on a proposal called the National Family Caregiver Support Program. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of S. 707. Lastly, I hope this hearing will increase awareness about the importance of planning ahead when it comes to one's own long-term care needs. This final point is particularly important for those of us in the 'baby boom generation'.
Most baby boomers are woefully unprepared to pay for their long-term care needs.
Moreover, many baby boomers are simply uninformed about how such care is paid for in retirement. Clearly, we can be doing a better job when it comes making informed decisions about future long-term care needs. This number is expected to increase as people live longer and the baby boom generation ages. Roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population is 65 and older. In Rhode Island, almost 16 percent of the population is age 65 and over.