Caregiving is an issue that will touch everyone at some point in life, yet not many of us think about it until thrust into the position of being a caregiver or needing one.

Today, nearly 66 million unpaid family care-givers (29% of the adult population ) (1) are struggling with the responsibility of caring for a child, spouse, parent, or partner at a time when the medical establishment is overburdened and doctors have limited time. The cost of medication, healthcare and long-term care insurance are soaring, and home healthcare costs are, for many, prohibitive.

We also face a huge surge in the aging population. By 2030, the number of people over the age of 65 will double to 71 million and many will need support. Compounding this is the fact that the number of younger people available to serve as caregivers is on the decline.

Add to these statistics the fact that many family units have been shattered by divorce, grown children who live far away, and close friends who relocate after retirement. So, in view of the preceding, living on one’s own doesn’t seem very surprising at all. […]