Seniors Need
Paid Family & Medical Leave

Many Kansans find themselves in the “sandwich” generation, caring for their children and their parents while juggling full-time jobs with little support. Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) could provide valuable support, allowing family members to care for their loved ones without losing their jobs or income. Families could keep aging parents at home and potentially avoid costly institutional care facilities.

Paid Leave by the Numbers

85%

of long-term care services are provided by unpaid caregivers.

1 in 5

nearly one in five Kansas adults is a caregiver for an aging relative.

70%

of working-age caregivers are employed while providing care.

Caregivers are often uncompensated family members

According to the Kansas Department on Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), 85% of long-term care services are provided by unpaid caregivers. Nearly one in five Kansas adults is a caregiver for an aging relative.

Family members are already working

According to the National Alliance For Caregiving and AARP, 70 percent of working-age caregivers are employed while providing care. The majority have experienced some work impact due to caregiving: 56 percent have needed to go in late, leave early or take time off; 18 percent have had to reduce their work schedule; 9 percent gave up working and 6 percent lost job benefits1.

Caregivers are struggling financially

Nearly half of family caregivers have experienced major financial impacts like debt, loss of income, or food insecurity, according to National Alliance For Caregiving and AARP.

Community and home-based care is better

Seniors may be forced into institutional long-term care because it isn’t feasible for a family member to provide the needed level of services due to work demands. As a result, seniors may be forced to spend their savings to qualify for Medicaid or expend their remaining resources to cover long-term care costs when a better alternative like PFML would be sufficient to meet their care needs at home.

Meeting the needs of an aging population

The “over 85” population is expected to grow at a faster rate than the “over 65” population and many will need assistance. By 2034, the Baby Boomer generation will be at least 70. Today’s families shoulder the responsibilities of aging parents as they juggle the competing obligations of work and parenting. PFML could relieve pressure for family members and the seniors they love, recognizing that all of us, at some point in life, will need help.

  1. Caregiving In the US 2025. Caregiving in the US. (n.d.). https://www.caregivingintheus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/caregiving-in-us-2025.doi_.10.26419-2fppi.00373.001.pdf ↩︎

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