Growing workforce shortages could make elder care more challenging in New Jersey and beyond
Newark, New Jersey, 13 July 2026 – As the population continues to age, the need for caregivers is growing faster than ever. Older adults are living longer, and many require assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, taking medication, and moving safely around their homes. Behind these essential services is a workforce of home health aides, nursing assistants, and personal care workers who help millions of families every day. However, experts warn that this workforce is already under pressure, and new federal policy changes could make the shortage even more severe in states like New Jersey.
A recent analysis by health policy researchers found that the United States depends heavily on direct care workers to support older adults and people with disabilities. In 2024, around 2.3 million people worked in these caregiving roles. Nearly two-thirds of them provided care in patients’ homes, while others worked in nursing homes and residential care facilities. As demand for long-term care continues to rise, maintaining a stable workforce has become increasingly important.
One of the biggest concerns is that many caregiving positions are difficult to fill. The work is physically demanding and emotionally challenging, yet wages remain relatively low compared with many other occupations. Many caregivers also work part-time or have limited access to employment benefits, making it difficult for employers to attract and retain skilled workers. These long-standing challenges have already contributed to staffing shortages across the healthcare sector.
New Jersey faces additional pressure because a significant share of its direct care workforce is made up of immigrants. Researchers estimate that at least 30 percent of the state’s caregivers were born outside the United States. These workers play an essential role in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home care services. Any reduction in the available workforce could place additional strain on healthcare providers that already struggle to recruit enough staff.
The analysis highlights several federal policy changes that could affect the caregiving workforce. These include changes involving Medicaid funding, immigration rules, and labor regulations. Experts suggest that these factors may influence both the number of available workers and the financial stability of healthcare providers that rely on public funding to deliver long-term care services.
Medicaid plays a major role in supporting long-term care in the United States. It helps pay for many home care services, nursing facilities, and residential care programs. The program also provides health insurance for a large number of direct care workers themselves. Changes that reduce funding or affect eligibility could create financial pressure for both healthcare providers and employees working in the sector.
Immigration also remains an important part of the caregiving workforce. Across the country, immigrants account for roughly 30 percent of direct care workers, with even higher numbers in home-based care. Because many healthcare organizations depend on these employees, workforce experts say maintaining a stable labor supply will be important as the number of older adults continues to grow over the coming years.
The challenge extends beyond New Jersey. The United States is experiencing a steady increase in its senior population, creating greater demand for caregivers, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. At the same time, many experienced caregivers are approaching retirement, while fewer new workers are entering the profession. This combination is widening the gap between the growing need for care and the number of available workers.
Healthcare providers are exploring several ways to strengthen the workforce. Better training programs, improved wages, career advancement opportunities, flexible work schedules, and technology that supports caregivers may all help attract more people into the profession. Expanding home-based care services and improving workplace conditions may also help reduce employee turnover and improve patient care.
The future of elder care will depend not only on medical advances but also on the people who provide daily support to older adults. As the population continues to age, ensuring a strong and sustainable caregiving workforce will remain one of the most important priorities for healthcare systems. Investing in caregivers today can help ensure that millions of older adults receive the compassionate, high-quality care they need in the years ahead.
