When it comes to navigating the older adult care crisis in the U.S., there is no single solution. Every family and elder I speak with faces a unique, incredibly complex set of circumstances. When they cannot find viable solutions at home, they are increasingly searching for affordable care elsewhere—mainly long-term care in Mexico due to its proximity and climate, or in nations where they qualify for a second heritage passport.
In recent magazine and podcast interviews, we dive into this international perspective—unpacking real-world pros and cons of domestic care and the honest truths of crossing the border for help.
In 2024, I wrote an extensive piece about eldercare beyond U.S. borders and why families are running out of options at home: Finding Eldercare/Senior Care Abroad.
That post brought insightful journalists to my door.
The first was Hikari Mae Hida, an international journalist and translator who deeply understands caregiving through her own global reporting and family experiences. Her well-crafted story for Deseret Magazine, “The Great Global Caregiving Crisis,” masterfully outlines the high-stakes families face. The article opens with my serious question:
“What if we live a long life and are abandoned or without funds despite our best efforts?” For Wendy Jane Carrel, a senior care specialist with over two decades of experience who operates the consulting service Wellness Shepherd, this question is a looming reality.
I am grateful to Hikari for quoting me throughout and bringing vital mainstream attention to this systemic issue. You can explore more of her work at Hikari Mae Hida’s Official Site.
International social impact consultant Anna de la Cruz published a powerful, deeply personal first-person account of the care economy for Slate. Her article, “Exporting Our Elders,” highlights my mission at Wellness Shepherd to help families discover compatible, affordable long-term care workarounds abroad. Thank you, Anna, for sharing your heart-wrenching story as a sandwich-generation caregiver balancing young children while managing complex, high-stakes medical logistics for your disabled brother and your parents. Learn more about Anna’s consulting work at Anna De La Cruz | Social Impact Consulting.
Following that piece, Anna Sale—the creator and host of Slate’s Death, Sex, and Money podcast—invited Anna de la Cruz to share her story on air. The episode also featured Laura Silverstein, a Seattle-based Aging Life consultant who helped design the care plan for Anna’s mother, and me.
My reflection “humane eldercare has often become a luxury item” ended up as the header for the episode. A quick disclaimer if you listen: you may wonder if I was recovering from watching a weepie movie! Between my acoustic “stealth-whisper” and sounding unrecognizable – I usually deliver actionable advice and solid support nuggets – I have determined host Anna Sale’s famously hypnotic, soothing voice must have lulled me into a trance.
While it’s safe to say I won’t be winning any broadcasting awards for this performance, the brilliance and clarity Anna de la Cruz and Laura Silverstein bring to the conversation make it a truly necessary listen for anyone facing care choices.
You can hear the full episode on Slate: Humane Eldercare Has Often Become a Luxury Item
Ultimately, my hope is that these stories continue to spark an urgent conversation: the critical need for a more affordable, dignified, and humane care infrastructure throughout the nation.
© Wendy Jane Carrel 2026
Wendy Jane Carrel, MA, is a trusted Older Adult Advocate and Cross-Border Consultant who has hands-on experience with healthcare systems, Aging in Place, international retirement transitions, long-term care, palliative care, and end-of-life care in Mexico, Ecuador, other nations, and the USA. She provides informed, thoughtful guidance and curated, compatible care options for couples, solo agers, families, and their loved ones. She is a speaker and published author on subjects related to senior well-being and a trauma-informed end-of-life doula. Wendy’s web site is http://www.WellnessShepherd.com.
Resources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/long-term-care-costs-growing-problem-for-americans-2026-8
https://www.businessinsider.com/eldercare-crisis-long-term-care-costs-families-2026-8
https://www.elderlawanswers.com/long-term-care-costs-are-hollowing-out-generational-wealth-21539
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b3Awxd1T780 Anna de la Cruz shares her story on You Tube
Wellness Shepherd 