The recent headline says it all: America Is Running Out Of Family Caregivers, Just When It Needs Them Most. In this candid assessment of the caregiving crisis now taking hold in the US, The Wall Street Journal describes the factors contributing to an increasingly fragile and patchwork system of caregiving for our elder population.

First, some realities. Over 34 million people provide unpaid care to others on a regular basis, the overwhelming majority of whom are family members. But with an aging population, families scattered across the country, the rise of elder orphans and other demographic trends, it’s easy to see what’s behind this looming crisis. Moreover, it’s been estimated that demand for paid, private home health aides will exceed supply over the coming decade by millions. What are we doing about this? So far, it seems as a society we haven’t come to grips with it. To read more about the real-life challenges of current caregivers, and a few possible ways to respond, check out The Wall Street Journal article Here (paywall).

Finally, for a ray of hope: Check out Papa, a new Florida-based start-up that bills itself as providing “grandkids on demand.” Papa connects seniors with college students who are looking for extra money by providing companionship and help to local seniors in their communities. It’s not a solution for long-term caregiving, but for some occasional trustworthy and regular assistance, it could be just the thing for your older family member. Read more about this start-up and its future plans in this TechCrunch article.