Argentum

(Alexandria, Va.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), and Ann Kuster (D-NH), introduced H.R. 6835, the Care Across Generations Act. Maggie Elehwany, Argentum Senior Vice President, Public Affairs issued the following statement:

“Argentum extends its sincere appreciation to Representatives Steil, Strickland, and Kuster for introducing the Care Across Generations Act. This groundbreaking legislation is a significant step towards solving the twin senior and child care workforce shortages in this country, and addressing the epidemic of loneliness by fostering intergenerational connections between seniors and children.

Research shows that intergenerational settings, which can combine senior care such as assisted living with child day care services, increase the health and well-being of both young and older participants, reduce social isolation, and create cost efficiencies. The concept is also popular— 92% of Americans believe intergenerational activities can reduce loneliness across all ages and 85% would prefer care settings that foster intergenerational connections. However, there are just a handful of assisted living communities that offer this type of interaction today.

Assisted living, as a residential care setting where seniors live with dignity and independence while receiving help with daily activities, offers the ideal setting to embrace intergenerational care. America’s 31,400 assisted living communities are home to nearly two million seniors and employ one million caregivers, many of whom report difficulties with finding reliable childcare. The Care Across Generations Act can help assisted living communities retain these vital care givers by increasing childcare options at a time when high quality care can be hard to find.

This intergenerational connection helps alleviate caregiving burdens, but also improves the health of children and seniors. One study found that grandparents who directly interacted with grandchildren were more likely to be alive five years later than those who remained uninvolved, and another concluded that they registered higher scores on cognitive tests.

Assisted living communities enable seniors to thrive by addressing their social determinants of health—providing proper nutrition, medication management, and reducing social isolation. To further combat loneliness, which U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called “America’s invisible epidemic”, the Care Across Generations Act would provide resources to create and maintain childcare programs within assisted living communities.