By any measure, caregiving is one of the most profound acts of love and service in our society. It’s also one of the most overlooked. At Central Boston Elder Services (CBES), we believe that care is not just a responsibility — it’s a shared value that binds our city together. Our guiding principles say it best: Care Unites Us. Caregivers Empower Us. Challenges Inspire Us. Vision Drives Us.
These aren’t just slogans. They reflect the lived reality of thousands of older adults and caregivers across Boston. Whether we’re family members, neighbors, friends or professionals, we are united by a commitment to dignity, compassio, and community. Care is the thread that strengthens our neighborhoods and affirms the worth of every elder.
Caregivers are the quiet heroes of this story. Every day, they help older adults live independently, remain in their homes, stay connected to their communities and thrive in familiar surroundings. They offer more than assistance — they offer hope. At CBES, we’re proud to walk beside them, providing case management, home care, meals, respite and training to lighten their load and amplify their impact.
Of course, caregiving comes with challenges. Balancing work and family, navigating complex systems and managing emotional and financial stress can feel overwhelming. But these struggles also spark innovation. They push us to create better solutions, build stronger networks and advocate for policies that uplift caregivers and those they serve.
COVID-19 upended our lives — personally and professionally — forcing us to develop new strengths and reinvent how we provide care during a life-or-death global health crisis. The past five years have shown us that, regardless of the circumstances, our commitment to caring for our elderly population remains unwavering. We adapt. We persevere. And we continue to show up with compassion, resilience and resolve.
Today, we face especially difficult times. At this very moment our federal government is in its fourth week of a shutdown, causing disruptions in our everyday lives, adversely affecting the most vulnerable among us, the elderly, children and lower-income families.
More than 1.1 million Massachusetts residents rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to afford food — 32% are children, 26% are seniors, and 31% are people with disabilities. They may go without their benefits come Nov. 1.
Up to 300,000 current Medicaid recipients in the commonwealth are at risk of losing coverage due to new eligibility and work requirement.
By 2034, adults 65 and older will outnumber children under 18 — a demographic shift with profound implications for families, communities, employers and long-term care systems. As the population ages, the pool of potential caregivers continues to shrink relative to those likely to need long-term support.
Family caregivers increasingly find themselves balancing the dual demands of employment and elder care.
This shift is already reshaping household dynamics. Approximately 30% of family caregivers for older adults live in multigenerational households that include children or grandchildren.
Many are also part of the workforce, with 61% employed either full or part time. These caregivers face significant financial risks, including lost income and diminished career advancement, which can result in lower lifetime savings and reduced Social Security benefits.
Compounding the challenge is a growing shortage in the direct-care workforce. Recent changes in immigration enforcement have disrupted a vital labor pipeline. This shortage places greater pressure on family caregivers, who must often provide more hours of care at higher intensity. Retaining workers in this high-turnover field remains difficult, especially given persistent issues around pay and training.
These draconian federal policy changes are having adverse effects — financially, socially and in terms of health —for both caregivers and the older adults they serve. AARP estimates the average caregiver pays more than $7,200 annually in out-of-pocket costs for transportation and other needs. These policy shifts demand that we pivot, both in short-term strategy and long-term vision. We must be bold and intentional in forging partnerships across private, public, and philanthropic sectors. We must embrace 21st-century technologies and solutions to meet present-day challenges and continue delivering quality-of-life benefits to those who depend on us.
Our vision is bold and unwavering: a future where every older adult ages with dignity, and every caregiver has the support they need to flourish. On Oct. 25 we celebrated that vision at our annual gala — our signature fundraiser that sustains this vital work.
In a city as vibrant and diverse as Boston, care must be a collective priority. When we support caregivers, we strengthen families. When we invest in elder services, we build healthier communities. And when we honor the power of care, we affirm the values that make Boston a place we’re proud to call home.
Join us — because when care leads, everyone thrives.
Sylvia Exantus is the chief executive officer of Central Boston Elder Services. Royal Bolling Jr. is the board president and Sandra Harris is a director at the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community & End Loneliness. For more information and to support CBES, visit their website, www.centralboston.org.
