Oregon, Washington grandparent-led caregiving nears 67,000 in need

A growing number of grandparents in the U.S. are stepping up as primary caregivers for their grandchildren, with approximately 2.7 million children living with their grandparents due to various familial challenges such as financial hardship and health issues. In Oregon and Washington alone, over 67,000 children under 18 are being raised by grandparents, highlighting a significant shift in family dynamics. Concurrently, a local nonprofit in Memphis, Reaching Back Inc, is dedicated to improving living conditions for seniors, addressing critical home repairs to enhance their quality of life. Meanwhile, the Office of the Seniors Advocate in British Columbia is gathering input from family caregivers on the challenges they face in accessing long-term care, given the current shortage of care beds and long wait times. The advocate notes that nearly 6,500 seniors are on waitlists, with some waiting up to three years for preferred care. This systemic review aims to inform future recommendations to improve the long-term care system and support for caregivers.