Approximately 15 million persons cared for persons outside their household. Because of lower birth rates, there is an increasing number of older persons in proportion to children. The pooled resources of fewer adult children may not be enough to care for dependent aged parents. Adult children themselves may be old, further hindering their abilities to care for their more aged parents. This situation is further complicated by the fact that fewer adult children are remaining geographically close to their parents.
Social trends point to additional difficulties.
Traditionally, women have been the primary caretakers of dependent aged parents. But with the increase of women in the work force, homes may be left empty. With high rates of family instability and the appearance of various other family forms, it is possible that relationships might become less defined or maintained with less sense of obligation and commitment. Rising health costs and inflation represent two economic factors which may erode the family's ability to support dependent older persons. The higher cost of living has led to the purchase of smaller dwellings, which may be only large enough to house nuclear family members.