Ai-jen Poo, Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), Co-Director of the Caring Across Generations campaign, and MacArthur “genius” Fellow has written a new book - “The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America.”
“This book highlights the stories and solutions that point the way toward a future where our aging loved ones can live well as they age,” said Poo. “By investing in caregiving, we have the potential to not only meet the needs of the 27 million people who will need care and assistance by the year 2050, but also to address many of the challenges of 21st century life – creating good jobs, balancing work and family, and the full integration of our growing immigrant communities.”
With 10,000 people turning 65 every day, Poo proposes integrated solutions that help the families, the seniors, and the professional caregivers (largely women and immigrants), including long-term care insurance and a cultural change to value care.
“My grandparents played a critical role in raising me into the person I have become,” said Poo about her inspiration for this work. “After caring for so many, it seems obvious that they should have the care and support they need to live well as they grow older. But as a country, we don't yet have a plan in place to support that.”
Poo is currently on a tour of sixteen cities to encourage people to publicly discuss and consider how America cares for its elderly.
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