Caregiving has always been a foundational part of the human experience, but it’s rarely given the visibility and recognition it deserves. Caregiving is woven so deeply into daily life that it becomes an invisible part of the routine, as expected as cooking meals or bathing. Parents care for young children or adult children with special needs, while grown children step in to support aging parents or grandparents. Families caring for each other is standard, however that reality makes it easy to overlook what caregiving actually requires, especially for those who embrace it as a full-time career. But that’s beginning to change.
The recent PBS documentary, “Caregiving,” executive produced by Bradley Cooper, is elevating the national conversation by sharing the stories of family and professional caregivers. The film, inspired by Cooper’s own experience, gives visibility to the sacrifices, struggles and triumphs of caregivers as they play an essential yet typically underappreciated role in the healthcare system. “Caregiving” is timely and urgent, capturing the personal side of caregiving while emphasizing the startling truth that caregivers shoulder emotional, financial, and physical challenges with little formal support. Their work happens in the shadows, despite being vital to the well-being of millions of people every day.
A Look at the Human Side of Caregiving Spotlights the Emotional Toll
“Caregiving” includes narratives that portray caregiving as a demanding role that can reshape lives, rather than a side responsibility. Through firsthand accounts, viewers see the exhaustion of balancing work and family, the financial stress of unpaid or underpaid labor, and the absence of resources for mental health and stress relief. Despite these hardships, caregivers persevere to ensure the continued dignity and stability of those relying on them. The documentary recognizes this and places caregivers at the center of the story, where they belong. Awareness, however, is only the first step.
To continue illuminating the way forward and underscore the urgent need for solutions and support, the concept of bringing caregivers to the forefront will be explored further during a panel discussion on Sept. 17. The event, hosted by homecare management software provider HHAeXchange as part of its Pennsylvania Customer Summit, will bring together diverse perspectives from across the homecare landscape. Panelists include “Caregiving” documentary director and senior producer Chris Durrance; Matt Cauli, a caregiver featured in film; Pennsylvania Homecare Association CEO Mia Haney; and HHAeXchange CEO Paul Joiner.
Speakers will delve into the state of caregiving in America, the industry’s trials and exploits, the critical contributions caregivers provide, and what it will take to move from storytelling to systemic change. By combining lived experience, advocacy, and industry leadership, the panel will highlight the need for practical solutions — stronger support systems, better resources, and more consistent recognition of caregiving — as essential components of care.
Flaws and Gaps in the Industry Must be Addressed Now
The barriers deepening the challenges caregivers face are plentiful, but primarily boil down to limited financial aid and institutional recognition, inadequate training, and fragmented career pathways that leave caregivers underprepared and undervalued. Many family caregivers end up leaving the workforce because the demands of caregiving are incompatible with traditional employment, and professionals frequently switch careers due to stress, low wages, and inadequate benefits. With a reported average salary of $32,440, homecare workers make nearly $4,000 less the national average living wage. They are also far more likely to be uninsured, with approximately 53% lacking coverage compared to 32% of workers overall.
At the same time, the health system relies heavily on caregivers to fill gaps left by staff shortages and strained resources. This dependence, without adequate support structures, creates a cycle of burnout, turnover, and instability. Without reform, these challenges will only intensify as the number of Americans aged 65 and older rises by 47% over the next 25 years — a sobering thought given that 77% of seniors already prefer to receive care at home, and the demand will almost certainly grow as the population ages.
Moving Awareness Toward Action Requires Intentionality and Commitment
Bridging the gap between awareness and action means allowing caregivers to be the ones shaping the systems built to sustain them. Their insights, as much as their labor, are indispensable. In addition, effecting true change will require buy-in from industry stakeholders at every level, including:
- Policymakers willing to expand financial assistance, benefits, and structural support.
- Employers and healthcare providers making an investment in caregiver training, better tools, and assistance with mental health and wellness needs.
- Technology and coordination platform providers enhancing solutions to reduce administrative burdens and ensure caregivers have the tools to focus on care.
Essentially, caregiving in America stands at a crossroads. It can remain undervalued, overburdened, and invisible, or it can be recognized and elevated as a cornerstone of healthcare. Impactful documentaries, panel discussions, and other advocacy initiatives are propelling the shift by combining visibility with dialogue, but it’s not enough. The next step is action.
Transformation is not possible without new legislation, programs, and partnerships that move caregiving from a personal obligation to a shared social responsibility. It’s the only way to ensure that caregivers and those they are dedicated to receive the respect, support, and resources they deserve.
Stephen Vaccaro
Stephen Vaccaro serves as President at HHAeXchange, the leading provider of homecare management solutions for providers, managed care organizations, and state Medicaid agencies, where he leads the market strategy and national expansion of HHAeXchange’s State, Payer, Provider, and Self Direction purpose built technology solutions. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare technology space, Stephen understands the business needs of all stakeholders in the homecare ecosystem. He has a proven track record of success in executive leadership, sales, implementation, service delivery, strategic planning, project management, product development, and acquisition integration.
