In the United States, recent estimates report there are 70 million people born between 1946 and 1964 in the United States known as “Baby Boomers.” This number will naturally decline, but that will take years. Unfortunately, the number of people in the U.S. under 60 is also declining.
The number of centenarians (those 100 and over) could more than quadruple over the next three decades according to the U.S. Census Bureau, going from an estimated 101,000 in 2024 to 422,000 in 2054. Often, they are medically fragile and cannot live on their own.
(As I write this, former President Jimm Carter turns 100 today. Happy Birthday Mr. President!)
It leaves us to wonder if there are enough people in the medical system to care for this aging population.
Reality in Numbers
We are used to waiting to see a specialist. Now it can take months to schedule a mammogram, see a dentist, or find a mental health therapist (if at all.)
Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA), a U.S. federal government agency, reports the following numbers, per the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA):
Over the next 15 years (through 2036), NCHWA projects shortages in the following occupations:
- 46,630 dispensing opticians
- 6,710 respiratory therapists
- 6,510 physical therapists
- 4,980 pharmacists
- 4,400 podiatrists
- 4,080 chiropractors
Similarly, behavioral health professionals are seeing significant shortages.
What about doctors and nurses?
HRSA also reports a projected 10% shortage of registered nurses (RNs) by 2026, to decrease to 9% by 2036. While this is slightly good news, the 9% in numbers tells a disturbing picture: a shortage of 337,970 full-time equivalent (FTE) RNs.
There is currently a similar shortage of 10% of specialty physicians. By 2036 there is a projected shortage of 13%, or 139,940 FTE physicians.
These numbers are just a quick snapshot, and there are qualifiers provided by HRSA. Examine their website for more detail, including the downloadable fact sheets.
The conclusion here is that there simply are not enough health care professionals at all levels to go around.
Lack of healthcare professionals causes self-perpetuating problems.
When there is a shortage of doctors, nurses, X-ray technicians, lab techs, and more:
- The ones who are working may be scheduled to work more shifts with fewer people.
- Workers become worn out or sick. (This was glaringly apparent during the COVID crisis, and the resulting problems have not gone away.) Less staff means more hours for those left at work.
- Healthcare workers close to retirement decide it is easier to leave sooner than planned.
- Fatigue and sleep-deprivation can lead to medical errors, poor communication, and unhappy healthcare workers.
- Reduced capacity may mean ill people are not seeking care on a timely basis. If there is a 5 hour wait in the emergency room, does that affect your willingness to seek immediate care for an acute illness?
This is Not New News!
- Government agencies have been following this trend and have statistics readily available.
- States are aware and address the issue with varied success rates.
- Hospitals and clinics know it is a problem. The fix is slow. It is a system-wide problem starting with available schooling for occupations such as nursing.
- Insurance companies are concerned. This article by Liberty Mutual shares how overstrained, absent, or untrained workers carries insurance risks. Liberty Mutual also address ways to mitigate those concerns to attract and retain workers.
Who should care about this healthcare crisis?
- Most certainly us Boomers. We should worry about who will take care of us.
- Populations most at risk for healthcare disparities (defined by the National Institutes of Health) who are especially vulnerable:
- American Indians/Alaska Natives/Pacific Islanders
- Asian Americans
- Black people/African Americans
- Hispanics/Latinos
- Sexual and gender minorities
- Socioeconomically disadvantaged populations
- Underserved rural populations
- Younger people who are often the carers for their aging family’s healthcare needs.
- Every taxpayer.
You are likely in one or more of these categories.
Conclusion
We must pay attention and encourage our leaders in government to address healthcare worker shortages. Ask the questions, write the letters, share your story. If you work in a health-care Institution speak up. People with boots on the ground can be the most creative problem-solvers. Management, listen to your workers.
We must be patient with our healthcare professionals; they are often struggling, yet they continue to be polite and personable. Remember to thank staff at all levels.
Visit www.gracesmessage.com for more caregiving information.
Nancy R Poland, Grace’s Message
With grace and hope, Nancy Poland provides written and spoken communication on caregiving, loss, and other valuable topics. She owns what she calls a “micro-business” named “Grace’s Message,” however she has many years of experience in the business world.
In December 2022, Nancy retired from NMDP (previously National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match) after nearly 28 years of employment. She most recently worked as a Contracts and Compliance Manager and spent over 18 years in management as a people-leader. Nancy has a Bachelor of Arts in social work and a Master of Arts in Health and Human Services Administration. She has authored two books on caregiving, issues a quarterly newsletter, and offers both in-person and virtual presentations.
A life-long resident of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, Nancy and her husband John raised two sons and continue to contribute to their communities, travel, and work on solving British detective shows.
As a working caregiver, Nancy encountered dilemmas such as the following, with no good choices.
- The phone rings, an ambulance is bringing her mom to the hospital (again). Does Nancy stay at work for the rest of the training session, or should she race to meet the ambulance and mom at the hospital?
- Dad is in the care home, in the later stages of dementia. The only day they schedule monthly family conferences is Thursday, no later than 2:30. Should Nancy take a half day off work, leave work and come back, or dial in, and miss out on a face-to-face conversation.
Working caregivers struggle with job obligations, caring for their loved one, and often other family responsibilities. The one they are caring for may be a child with special needs, an aging relative, or an unexpectedly injured spouse. None of us know when we will be called upon to care for another, and trying to balance each facet of life can be a recipe for disaster. When a caregiver has a crisis, it affects not only the ones involved, but also the company.
Studies show caregivers often have increased absenteeism or reduced performance while at work. They often need to cut down work hours or quit. As this is especially true for caregivers of older adults with significant care needs, for this talk I will focus on ways companies and caregivers can partner together to address the ever-increasing needs of caregivers for our aging population.
Website: https://nancyrpoland.com
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