Asbury Residents Bring a Clear Message to Capitol Hill: A Stable Caregiving Workforce Is Essential to Senior Care

On April 28, residents from Asbury Methodist Village (Gaithersburg, MD) joined Asbury Communities Chief Operating Officer Todd Andrews at the U.S. Capitol for the national “We Care for Seniors” press conference. They stood alongside bipartisan members of Congress, national organizations, and fellow advocates.

Their message was clear and grounded in lived experience:

Caring for seniors depends on caring for the people who care for them.

 

A Growing Demand for Care

The event highlighted a broader national reality. The demand for caregivers is increasing rapidly.

• By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be over age 65
• The United States will need millions of additional direct care workers in the coming decade
• Immigrants currently make up about one in four direct care workers nationwide

This is a diverse workforce made up of individuals from many backgrounds. Together, they form the foundation of long-term care in this country.

 

“The Link That Holds the Care Team Together”

Drawing on his experience across Asbury communities, Todd Andrews emphasized the role caregivers play every day:

“Every day in our communities, I see how essential caregivers are. They are the link that holds the entire care team together. When care is right, when there is a consistent caregiver who truly knows the resident, that relationship becomes everything.”

He noted that caregivers are often the first to notice small but meaningful changes in a resident’s condition. That awareness can help prevent more serious health issues and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.

Continuity is not optional. It is central to quality and safety.

 

When Stability Is Disrupted, the Impact Is Immediate

Speakers throughout the event emphasized that workforce instability has real and immediate consequences.

When caregiving teams are disrupted:

• Residents lose trusted relationships
• Staff experience increased pressure and workload
• Families face uncertainty
• Care systems absorb higher costs and strain

Research shows that higher staff turnover is associated with lower quality outcomes in care settings. This reflects what providers and residents see every day.

 

A Broad Workforce Challenge

The conversation also acknowledged that workforce challenges are complex and multifaceted.

Providers across the country are working to:

• Recruit more individuals into caregiving roles
• Improve training, career pathways, and workplace support
• Strengthen retention across the workforce

At the same time, maintaining stability within the current workforce is essential. This includes supporting caregivers who are already providing critical care in communities today.

 

A Shared, Practical Priority

The event reflected a bipartisan understanding that caring for older adults is a shared responsibility.

There was clear agreement on several points:

• The need for care is growing
• The workforce must be strengthened
• Stability and continuity are essential to meeting that need

The discussion remained focused on practical solutions and real-world impact rather than politics.

 

Asbury’s Commitment in Action

For Asbury Communities, participation in the event reflects a continued commitment to:

• Supporting older adults with dignity and purpose
• Strengthening the caregiving workforce
• Advancing thoughtful, mission-driven solutions

Bringing residents to Capitol Hill reinforced a core belief that those most affected by care decisions should have a voice in shaping them.

 

Looking Ahead

As discussions continue, the message from Asbury residents and leadership remains consistent.

Care depends on people. Relationships are central to quality. Workforce stability matters.

As Todd Andrews shared:

“Our residents are telling us they want that continuity. Supporting a stable caregiving workforce is fundamental to ensuring they receive the care they rely on every day.

At its core this is not simply a workforce issue. It is not simply a policy discussion.

This is about whether older adults can rely on consistent, compassionate care today and in the years ahead.

And that begins with supporting the people who provide that care every day.”

Media Contact: Michelle Curnow [email protected]