The Care Economy: Practical Approaches to Family Caregiving and Financial Wellbeing

Policy and the Family Care Economy

More than 63 million Americans provide unpaid care, and nearly half experience serious financial consequences. In this episode of The Care Economy, host Maureen Feldman speaks with Jason Resendez, President & CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, and Johnnie Jones, Caregiver Support Coordinator at Elder Options, to explore how caregiving affects financial stability, employment, and long-term economic mobility. This conversation covers the latest findings from the Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 research report, the growing intensity and duration of caregiving, and policy solutions that could help families avoid financial crisis. You'll also hear how state programs, employer benefits, and innovative community partnerships are shaping the future of caregiver support. If you're a caregiver, professional, AAA leader, or policymaker, this episode offers data-driven insight and practical strategies to strengthen the caregiving system nationwide. 🔗 Resources & Organizations Mentioned * National Alliance for Caregiving https://www.caregiving.org [https://www.caregiving.org] * Caregiving in the U.S. research initiative https://www.caregiving.org/research [https://www.caregiving.org/research] * AARP Long-Term Services & Supports Scorecard https://www.aarp.org [https://www.aarp.org] * Elder Options (Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging) https://agingresources.org [https://agingresources.org] * National Family Caregiver Support Program https://acl.gov [https://acl.gov] * Caregiving support platforms mentioned: * Cleo – https://www.hicleo.com * Trualta – https://www.trualta.com [https://www.trualta.com] 👥 Guest Contact & Organization Links Jason Resendez President & CEO, National Alliance for Caregiving Contact via organization: https://www.caregiving.org [https://www.caregiving.org] Johnnie Jones Caregiver Support Coordinator, Elder Options AAA Organization contact page: https://agingresources.org/contact 🎧 About The Show The Care Economy explores practical solutions to family caregiving challenges — from financial planning and legal considerations to policy and workforce innovations. Subscribe for conversations with experts shaping the future of caregiving.

Understanding the Legal Landscape of Care

Legal planning is one of the most overlooked — yet most critical — aspects of family caregiving. In this episode of The Care Economy, host Maureen Feldman speaks with certified elder law attorney Terry Garrett and caregiver advocate Shirley Eileen Trapani about the essential legal documents, benefits, and financial protections every caregiver should understand. You'll learn: • Why medical and durable powers of attorney should be completed early • The risks of adding caregivers to bank accounts • How care contracts can legally compensate family caregivers • Medicaid rules, gifting limitations, and financial red flags • Free and low-cost legal resources for caregivers • The importance of respite care and caregiver support groups This episode also highlights how Area Agencies on Aging, VA benefits, and nonprofit organizations can help caregivers navigate complex financial and legal challenges. 🔎 Whether you're a family caregiver, social worker, AAA professional, or healthcare provider, this episode provides actionable legal guidance to help prevent crises and protect both caregivers and loved ones. –––––––––––––––––– 🔗 RESOURCES & ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED in Podcast National Caregiver Support Collaborative Goal 4 https://acl.gov/ncsc [https://acl.gov/ncsc] USC Center for Advancing Caregiver Financial and Workplace Security [https://gero.usc.edu/centers/cg-security] https://gero.usc.edu/centers/cg-security/ [https://gero.usc.edu/centers/cg-security/] National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys https://www.naela.org [https://www.naela.org] Area Agency on Aging (find your local office) https://eldercare.acl.gov [https://eldercare.acl.gov] VA Caregiver Benefits https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits [https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits] AARP Family Caregiving Resources & Financial Workbook https://www.aarp.org/caregiving [https://www.aarp.org/caregiving] Your Texas Benefits (Medicaid application & caregiver programs) https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com [https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com] Age of Central Texas (equipment lending & caregiver support) https://ageofcentraltx.org [https://ageofcentraltx.org] Striking A Balance Caregiver Conference (Central Texas) https://ageofcentraltx.org/striking-a-balance [https://ageofcentraltx.org/striking-a-balance] –––––––––––––––––– 🎙 GUEST CONTACT & AFFILIATIONS Terry Garrett – Certified Elder Law Attorney Contact via National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys directory https://www.naela.org/findlawyer [https://www.naela.org/findlawyer] Shirley Eileen Trapani – Special Projects Manager Capital Area Agency on Aging of Texas https://www.capcog.org/divisions/area-agency-on-aging [https://www.capcog.org/divisions/area-agency-on-aging]

Supporting Family Caregivers at Work: Employer Strategies That Actually Work

Family caregiving doesn't stay at home — it shows up at work. In this powerful episode of The Care Economy, host Maureen Feldman speaks with national leaders and real-world practitioners about how caregiving is reshaping today's workforce — and what employers can do right now to better support caregivers. Featuring insights from Diane Ty of the Milken Institute's Future of Aging Initiative, Teresa McDade from Microsoft's Global Benefits Organization, and Bryn Ceman of the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, this episode explores the growing impact of caregiving on employee wellbeing, productivity, retention, and workplace culture. You'll learn: Why caregiving is one of the fastest-growing workforce challenges * The hidden costs of presenteeism, absenteeism, and turnover * How flexible work, paid caregiver leave, and care navigation programs support employees * Real-world employer solutions from Microsoft and statewide initiatives * Practical steps small and mid-size employers can implement immediately * How peer support and workplace culture reduce caregiver stigma Whether you're an employer, HR leader, caregiver advocate, or family caregiver yourself, this conversation offers actionable strategies and hopeful solutions. Resources mentioned in this episode: Milken Institute Future of Aging Initiative report — Supporting Family Caregiving and How Employers Can Lead➡️ https://milkeninstitute.org [https://milkeninstitute.org/reports/supporting-family-caregiving-how-employers-can-lead] 📊 National Alliance for Caregiving (research & statistics) ➡️ https://www.caregiving.org/research/https://www.caregiving.org/research/ [https://www.caregiving.org/research/] 📌 AARP Caregiving Research & Data ➡️ https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/ [https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/] 💼 Microsoft Family Caregiver Leave & Care Support Programs ➡️ https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/benefits [https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/benefi] ⚖️ MetLife Caregiving Legal & Navigation Benefits ➡️ https://www.metlife.com/employee-benefits/insights/caregiving/ [https://www.metlife.com/employee-benefits/insights/caregiving/] 🧭 Family First — Caregiver Navigation Platform ➡️ https://www.familyfirst.com [https://www.familyfirst.com] 🤝 Wellthy — Caregiving Concierge Platform ➡️ https://www.wellthy.com [https://www.wealthey.com] 📘 Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources – HR Care Kit ➡️ https://gwaar.org/resources/aging-and-disability-resource-centers/workplace-caregiver-resources [https://gwaar.org/resources/aging-and-disability-resource-centers/workplace-caregiver-resources] 🙌 Wisconsin Family Caregivers Support Alliance (WFCSA) ➡️ https://wisconsincaregiver.org/about [https://wisconsincaregiver.org/about] 🧑‍💼 WisconsinCaregiver.org – HR Care Kit Access ➡️ https://wisconsincaregiver.org/hr-care-kit [https://wisconsincaregiver.org/hr-care-kit] Guest contact & organization links:• Diane Ty — Future of Aging Initiative, Milken Institute: https://milkeninstitute.orghttps://milkeninstitute.org [https://milkeninstitute.org]• Teresa McDade — Global Benefits Organization, Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.comhttps://www.microsoft.com [https://www.microsoft.com]• Bryn Ceman — Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources: https://gwaar.orghttps://gwaar.org [https://gwaar.org]

Family Caregiving and Financial Stability

Family caregiving is one of the most significant — and least discussed — financial events many families will ever face. In this episode, host Maureen Feldman speaks with Surya Kolluri, Head of the TIAA Institute, alongside caregiving program leader Crystal Polizzotti from AgeSpan, to unpack the real financial impact of caregiving and how families can prepare before crisis hits. Together, they explore the rising costs facing the sandwich generation, why caregivers often jeopardize their own retirement security, and the practical tools, community resources, and financial frameworks that help families build resilience. You'll also hear frontline insights from caregiver support programs, learn how to access local resources, and discover the most common financial planning gaps professionals see every day. Whether you're supporting aging parents, raising children, or planning for your own future, this episode delivers essential guidance. What you'll learn: * The true financial burden of caregiving (and why it's underestimated) * How the sandwich generation is reshaping financial planning * Critical paperwork and planning steps caregivers overlook * Community resources that can prevent financial crisis * Employer caregiving benefits many people don't realize they have * Fraud risks facing older adults and caregivers * How to start difficult financial and end-of-life conversations Resources from Today's Episode * Eldercare Locator [https://eldercare.acl.gov/home] * Family Caregiver Alliance [https://www.caregiver.org/] * Benefits.gov [http://benefits.gov] * AARP Caregiving Resource Center [https://www.aarp.org/] * TIAA Institute [https://www.tiaa.org/public/institute] * National Alliance for Caregiving [https://caregiving.org/] * AgeSpan [https://agespan.org/] * USC Family Caregiver Support Center [https://gero.usc.edu/centers/fcsc/] Additional Resources * National Institute on Aging: Legal and Financial Planning [https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/legal-and-financial-planning-people-alzheimers] * National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys [https://www.naela.org/] * Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Managing Someone Else's Money guides [https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/managing-someone-elses-money/] * National Institute on Aging (NIA) [https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving] * Alzheimer's Association [https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving] Guest Contact Surya Kolluri TIAA Institute contact page [https://www.tiaa.org/public/institute] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/surya-kolluri-928a1/] Crystal Polizzotti AgeSpan caregiver support programs [https://www.agespan.org/programs/caregiver-support] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-polizzotti-799a5828/]

Lessons from Lived Experience

Caregiving doesn't just impact time and emotions — it can reshape a family's entire financial reality. In this episode of The Care Economy, financial caregiving expert Beth Pinsker and caregiving advocate Amy Goyer share deeply personal experiences and professional insight into the hidden financial challenges caregivers face. From household expenses and employment trade-offs to the rising cost of long-term care, this conversation explores how caregivers can prepare, find support, and avoid financial crisis while caring for loved ones. Listeners will learn: • The true cost of caregiving beyond medical expenses • Why many caregivers quietly struggle with debt and financial anxiety • How workplace flexibility and benefits can reduce caregiver burden • The importance of early financial conversations and planning • Where caregivers can find trusted tools, education, and community support This episode emphasizes that caregivers are not alone — and that practical solutions, community resources, and financial planning can help families navigate even the most difficult caregiving journeys. RESOURCES & BOOKS My Mother's Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving — Beth Pinskerhttps://www.simonandschuster.com/books/My-Mothers-Money/Beth-Pinsker/9781982173733 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/My-Mothers-Money/Beth-Pinsker/9781982173733] Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving — Amy Goyerhttps://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2017/juggling-work-caregiving.html [https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2017/juggling-work-caregiving.html] AARP Family Caregiving Resources https://www.aarp.org/caregiving [https://www.aarp.org/caregiving] USC Family Caregiver Resource Center https://gero.usc.edu/centers/fcsc/ [https://gero.usc.edu/centers/fcsc/] Area Agency on Aging locator https://eldercare.acl.gov [https://eldercare.acl.gov] GUEST CONTACT Beth Pinsker — Financial columnist and CFP®https://www.marketwatch.com/columnists/beth-pinsker [https://www.marketwatch.com/columnists/beth-pinsker] Amy Goyer — AARP caregiving experthttps://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/aarp-experts/amy-goyer/ [https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/aarp-experts/amy-goyer/] Amy Goyer caregiver Facebook communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/aarpfamilycaregivers [https://www.facebook.com/groups/aarpfamilycaregivers]