WASHINGTON, D.C. — America is facing a full-blown caregiving crisis. In-home elder care costs have risen three times faster than inflation, and by 2030, more than 73 million Americans will be 65 or older. Yet outdated federal rules have made legal, affordable senior care increasingly out of reach—pushing families towards informal, “under-the-table” arrangements that leave seniors and caregivers alike without stability.
Today, Independent Women and the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) announced the launch of a collaborative project, “Aging at Home. Living with Dignity.” The multi-layer strategic partnership is designed to elevate real-life senior caregiving experiences and build demand for home-care freedom for seniors, and advance policy reforms that expand freedom and choice to make aging in place more in reach for every family.
Through first-person stories from seniors, families, and caregivers nationwide, Independent Women and AMAC are illustrating how innovative, market-based solutions to support seniors—one that draws on proven models like the State Department’s au pair program to make at-home support accessible, flexible, and affordable—can restore access to affordable, trusted in-home care.
“It’s time for policymakers to cut back on the red tape that makes in-home companionship needlessly costly and bureaucratic. We believe it’s time to explore safe, compassionate, affordable solutions that connect seniors with carefully vetted companions who provide support, friendship, and help with daily tasks,” Independent Women and AMAC said about the goals of this partnership.
America is Experiencing a Caregiving Crisis.
An American Companion Program is the Solution.
Share your caregiving story with us!
At the center of the campaign is the concept of an American Companion Program—a modernized framework that would expand lawful pathways for vetted companions to provide non-medical support, daily assistance, and—most importantly—human connection for seniors who want to age at home.
Carrie Lukas, president of Independent Women, recently wrote in The Washington Post: “An ‘American Companion Program’ could relieve pressure on families, create new work and housing opportunities for workers, and help millions of seniors remain independent. America’s caregiving challenge won’t be solved by more regulation or reliance on under-the-table, imported labor but by trusting markets and families to do what they do best: solve problems when government gets out of the way.”
“This initiative is about restoring independence and real choice for America’s seniors and the families who care for them,” said AMAC CEO Rebecca Weber. “For too long, Washington has allowed outdated rules to limit options and drive up costs, making it more difficult for families to do what they know is best for their loved ones. The proper role of government is not to micromanage care from afar, but to empower people to live with dignity and expand access to flexible, affordable models that actually work in the real world. By elevating the voices of seniors and caregivers, this partnership points the way toward reforms that put families back in control.”
Why Reform Is Urgently Needed
The desire to age in place is overwhelming. Eighty eight percent of seniors say they want to remain in their homes for as long as possible as they grow older rather than relocating to a senior living facility. For working parents and those in the “sandwich generation”—those raising young children and caring for aging parents—flexible and affordable caregiving options are crucial to balance work and family responsibilities.
One major barrier is the 2013 Home Care Rule, which narrowed the long-standing “companionship exemption” and imposed wage and overtime rules that drove up live-in caregiving costs and pushed many families to rely on informal “under-the-table” arrangements.
“Companionship is at the heart of aging with dignity,” said Heather Madden, policy staff director of Independent Women. “Seniors want to stay in their homes and remain connected with their loved ones and their communities, but current regulations make that unnecessarily difficult. Americans across the country are facing real hardship as they try to support aging loved ones, underscoring the need for more flexible, affordable options that prioritize the human connection older Americans depend on.”
Stories will be vetted and shared by Independent Women’s Features, the grassroots storytelling and original journalism arm of Independent Women, and AMAC Newsline, the official daily news publication of AMAC, and incorporated into broader policy and advocacy efforts by both organizations, including:
- Spotlighting the real lives of seniors and families;
- Illuminating america’s home-care affordability crisis;
- Shaping national conversations about aging in place;
- Championing human-centered, flexible caregiving solutions;
- Showing why current policies are failing families;
- Pushing back on red tape that hurts, not helps;
- Advancing innovative models like au pair–style elder companions; and
- Building broad, bipartisan momentum for caregiving reform.
Learn More:
- A National Storytelling Drive to Showcase the Need for Home Care Freedom: Aging at Home. Living with Dignity.
- Share your Voice with AMAC
Direct media inquiries and booking requests to [email protected] or [email protected]
Independent Women’s trusted experts, analysis, and data enable us to drive informed conversations to build support for better policy solutions.
Independent Women®’s unique, persuasive methods and trusted brand shape public preferences, policies, and movements to create a better future for everyone.
“The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) is the premier nationwide membership organization for older conservative Americans, delivering exclusive benefits and member-driven advocacy that upholds constitutional principles and advances the timeless American values of faith, family, and freedom.”
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One thing left out of this article was giving builders of Independent Living housing, tax incentives and freeing up regulations to build more Senior housing. My Mom thought she wanted to stay in her Home, but downsizing and entering Independent Living was the best thing we did as a family. She has people around her and can be involved in a whole bunch activities as she wants. She is also accounted for 24/7, which we all like. More of this type of housing needs to be built and made affordable.
This is a wonderful initiative. I was the caregiver for my husband, who had agent orange Parkinsons. Due the the VA my experience may have been very different, but the bottom line is how very blessed we were that he could stay home, with me until his final breath. Many people in know have had to use hospice or nursing homes because they did not have options. We age with our spouses so when we are most needed, we may not be strong enough physically to do so by ourselves. Thank you for bringing this to light.
I’m 68 and live alone and my family lives all over the country – none close. I have a friend who helps me with laundry and taking out trash and bringing in groceries. He’s a life saver – literally – since I’m at fall risk and carrying things like a laundry basket is a life or death proposition. I wonder what I’d do if he weren’t here.
My Father is still alive and has the best of all worlds. He lives in a whole community of seniors who have continuance of care right in their own lovely condo. Very expensive.
A big problem has been getting to appointments that require someone to drive me. I have postponed required health care simply because I didn’t have transportation. One big thing that has changed for the good this year is that my Medicare agent hooked me up with a policy that PROVIDES transportation for that situation! What a concept!!
There are many worries buzzing around my head about the future. We just have to take life one day at a time. What other choice is there?
YES! I WANT TO REMAIN AT HOME!
Getting old is hard enough, but when a spouse is diagnosed with a disabling disease it’s a real game changer. My husband suffered a fractured hip 8 days after I had a complete shoulder replacement, while fracturing his hip was bad enough add Parkinson’s on top of that tge hospital screwing up his medication regiment. Then loading him up with oxy even while being told oxy should not be being used on a Parkinson’s patient.
Then being trapped for 37 days bc of insurance. Hospital failed to give proper care which left him far worse than what he was and should be. Now I’m home as a full time care giver with zero help. It’s ok not complaining, but I can tell you after all this our
healthcare
Hospital’s
are broken which makes all the things being discussed harder to manage.
I want to stay in our home but
its tiring and very lonely. Which adds to health issues in it self.
This entire process needs to be reevaluated.
Thank you for highlighting this problem in our country! I speak as a one-time caregiver for my mother, and the hard lessons I learned, and now at 74 looking at my own aging and preparing. I have celiac disease, and a hospital or nursing facility, or even independent living with shared dining, is a nightmare. Thank goodness I am healthy and exercising and independent, and preparing.
Thank you for spotlighting the most ignored problem of our country! I live in Mohave County Arizona, where we have a median age of 54. Seniors are caring for seniors and many are at risk for fraud and abuse from unscrupulous people! We need to help families to be able to take care of their elders! This has become a travesty for America!
As this vital need for aging people continues to be discussed and impact regulations is anyone suggesting the following;
If it is more affordable to modify the persons home to accommodate movement for the aging person instead of paying the high cost of residing in a senior care facility; I would hope there would be incentives to allow the person to stay in their home.
Bravo! Your national storytelling campaign is spot on. I am a writer/editor. How can I help with this campaign? I retired to take care of my husband at home. Real stories and voices can change policy, funding, and communities. My husband has Alzheimer’s and I am his primary caregiver. We’re in year 9, yikes! Call me. Linda
My biggest frustration is Medicare. Up until I retired I had full dental, vision, and hearing coverage, of course, Medicare doesn’t cover any of it.
After a bad fall, infection, surgery and three months in a rehab facility (which was thankfully paid for by insurance), I paid $24/hr for companion assistance. Needless to say, I had to stop the service after a month.
As a Chaplain to the elderly in nursing homes and hospitals, I often see the elderly denied spiritual care. Even though I am well credentialed, the nursing home will not call me if a resident goes to the hospital or begins the dying process. Those two times are precisely when they need spiritual care. I believe they could opt out if they wished, but when faced with death, I believe every elderly person should have the right to have clergy with them. Yet the nursing homes claim it’s a HIPAA violation to call me. Very sad.
And in the hospital, while passing by after having visited one patient in the ER, a second elderly patient motioned me to talk to her. I did and the nurse was furious that I had not asked her permission. When this particular nurse became DON of the ER, she determined that only physical needs would be met in the ER. All other needs would have to be met in the upper floors. This was very sad. The hospital sent home many more patients from the ER then they allowed to stay. Often the elderly were stressed out and I witnessed the nurses being pushy and irritable when an elderly person was unable to respond to their questions quick enough or correctly because the elderly person or spouse was under such stress. As a Chaplain I could help get the answers to nurses needed. And again the patients deserve the right to have clergy especially if they are in a life-threatening situation in the ER. Their families do as well.
It’s sad that people don’t know that most insurance carriers have transportation free to Dr appts and therapy appts, and dentist appts, with a phone call to their own insurance.
call your insurance and ask if they have transportation.
My insurance has an app for transportation so I get rides. Most times.
I am 72 years old and I have no family to help me. I do pretty good, but I have a hard time getting into my tub and walking down the stairs to my basement. I also have problems with my back when I vacuum and mop otherwise I can do pretty good but if I get some help with some of that, I would sure appreciate it. Lord knows I need it. Thank you.
I currently live in Independent Senior Apartments. So many of my neighbors here are very afraid of what will happen to them as they lose that independence. I have heard from family after family how horrible it is in even the most expensive Assisted Living centers. Many actually hope to die before this becomes necessary. The fear is so great that it affects their lives years before it even happens. We must have some answers, not just for seniors who are able to live in their private homes but any senior facing the inevitable aging cycle. I’m so happy to hear that this amazing group is working for us and our futures. Kudos!
I completely agree. At 74 I live alone- disabled by Lyme at 28. Best thing I ever did was buy long term care insurance at 35. But my 80 yr old sister is alone & lonesome. I can see clearly how a companion would really improve her life. Tough times!!
Think you are on to a good thing. Will be praying for you! I believe Anne is correct and we do need more reasonable independent living places. The socialization is invaluable!
I am a senior myself but keep active. I would like to be a companion to someone close by, who needs help with chores or other activities. I would prefer part-time companionship. I love meeting new people and getting to know them and I know I would be a good friend. Is there any type of program to teach people how to be effective senior companions?
I have MS and am 71. My husband helps me but he’s 72. I do worry about what will happen to either of us when our time comes which will mean one of us will be left alone. You do find as you get older you often need help. Children can’t be depended on. I like the idea of being able to stay in my home & so would he. Plus it’s probably cheaper to help the elderly stay in their homes. Glad it’s being looked into.
I’m aboard. Please send info.
Dependence upon someone else does not “help millions of seniors remain independent”. It should read “help millions of seniors age in place.”
In Tennessee there is the Medicaid (Tenncare in Tennessee) has a program called Choices nursing home level care in the home. Something to look into for other states to look into perhaps.
I have a horrible story of me caring for mom and at 89 she was started to attack me and people. I took her to ER twice fir my injuries and begging fir medication to calm her down but it knocked her out. Two weeks later I took her back after another attack. The ER claimed I was abusing her and stole her away and put her in a physic hospital for 90 days an hour away from our summer home. I was not able to find a lawyer or legal aid to help me get her back do we could return to Florida from connecticut.
they said I had caregiver burn out and it was unsafe for her to return with me. I informed them that in five days I had a long term care placement waiting for her I florida and why I needed the medication to safely drive us home.
They immediately gave her 12 different mind altering drugs, limited access to her by anyone. Not allowed to take in camera to document abuse on her her went from ballroom dancing to gangrene in both foot.
Only people on a list are allowed to call her and me my son her grandson her neighbors her lady friend at church are not in that list.
I am in Florida now and mom is in Connecticut and they are abusing her restricting her from sunshine and medical treatment on her BEMER. Her vitamin I had provided from AFLDS dr Gold .
I am threatened with arrest of senior abuse if I return to Connecticut to fight fir her right to live in her own home now that it would be safe for me to care for a wheelchair bound mother who is so medicated she would not be a danger to me
i have called every legal aid society and lawyer and no one will help me as I am on disability from car accident and no big bank account for them to make a profit and now the state with a conflict of interest is trying to take her hose away from me inheriting it to pay fir her horrible care at $12,000 a month when her private room in Florida only $3000 a month with available outdoor I closed garden
please help rescue mom Glenna Morin from the human Trafficking of senior and disabled Adults who are being separated from their families after only once instance of being caregiving
I had applied for every offered my help caring for mom
as I work full time and was denied help so had to quit my job and now we are both seperater and poor except for out home on five acres and mom substantial income.
please help 860-334-2314
Hi there! This year I will be 68 years old and have been happily married to my soul-mate since 1983! Neither my husband nor I need a live-in person right now but we know these years keep “ticking” by faster & faster.
Since my husband retired BUT went back to work (he just couldn’t stand not working) I certainly have time to help any of these ladies that might need part-time help; meaning 4-5 hours, 2-3 days/week. Please let me know if you might have a place for me to fill-in or help out.
Sincerely, Ve~ Haines
Phone #: 817/655-3351(to call or text)
p.s. since I have read some of the comments, I can see that there are several women I could help right away. Please keep me in mind!
Yes it’s a mess! We need thoughtful reform.
I spent the last 3-1/2 years providing care for a lady with Parkinson’s. The agencies were too expensive for her considering the hours she required. I provided decluttering, packing, moving, cleaning, laundry, medication preparedness, transportation, shopping, technical help with her phone & laptop, business calls, anything & everything she needed. Her adult children live elsewhere & aren’t involved nor interested. Now she’s in a nursing home as it’s too dangerous for her to live alone. The nursing home can’t get billing right, nurses & aides are short staffed, she is neglected & feels like a burden on them.
My family was able to keep some of our elderly at home as they aged. Basically this was only possible because of good financial resources and the ability of family members to commit hands on care. My grandmother had 3 retired children with spouses that lived close by. She lived with one of them, the others were able to help, and she could afford to pay a part time aide privately. Two of her daughters were retired RNs and well equipped to advocate for her and manage her medical care. She passed away in her nineties. Then the son in law she lived with was diagnosed with Parkinsons. He had retired from the Navy in the nineteenseventies and had excellent medical benefits as part of his retirement package. When his health deteriorated, to the point that his wife was no longer able physically care for him, their adult daughter quit her job and moved in with them.
Many people do not have these resources available to them.
For instance, my brother in law had a stroke over a year ago. My sister is unable to care for him physically without assistance. They have 2 adult daughters but they don’t live close by, have full time jobs and grade school aged children, so their ability to help is limited. They were able to afford private care for about a year, which consisted of home health aides 24/7. My sister still needs to her part time employment to cover household expenses. Medicare doesn’t cover long term home health care, so they have applied for Medicade and have been accepted, now that they have spent all their savings and retirement investment income. However Medicaid will not cover the cost of homehealth care 24/7, but will cover the cost to be in a nursing home, even hough that is more expensive than the cost of homehealth aides. My brother in law would prefer to be at home, but this is no longer financially possible. Even when he was at-home Medicare coverage did not cover the cost of equipment needed at home such as a hospital bed, transfer devices; even though they do provide these the quality of the products the will pay for were not adequate to provide safe care or meet the requirements the physical therapists (through Medicare) said were necessary. Medical transport has been a nightmare- the cost was not covered by Medicare, and could be hundreds of dollars for one trip for a doctor’s appointment, once he could be in a wheelchair cheaper transport was available, but consistantly arrived late or was not he proper type to accommodate him. This caused them to have to private pay for appointments missed or cancel due to late arrival, appointments that would have been covered under Medicare, but because the appointment never occurred it wouldn’t cover.
This are just “small” examples of issues for people who thought they had adequate resources to provide for themselves as they aged.
I myself am a retired RN, and the state of nursing home care as well as the quality of home health aides available through medical insurance is abysmal at best. Nursing home care is consistently short staffed tothe point that well intentioned personal are unable to provide good, letalone adequate care. Often the well intentions seem absent and are is negligent to the point that I feel it should be criminal, but I have been told there is nothing to be done, even when complaints have been filed with the state.
I can vision “staying at home” to be an advantage to young people looking for part time work and also connecting to their elders. Daily needs are regular household tasks which anyone can learn to do and a wonderful added bonus would be the fellowship that would develop.
Great move. What do I need to say to the Senators and Rep.
What about aging men, you talk about health care for women.Does this include men also
Is there any way to speed up the audio ?
Problem I’m facing with my wife that is now in a walker and wheelchair is out home is not designed to handle a wheelchair in the narrow hallway and doorways so easily