During his campaign, Senator Andy Kim faced life-changing news. His father, who had been living with a disability due to polio, suffered a serious fall and broke his femur. When Kim arrived at the hospital, he noticed his father’s confusion about his surroundings. This marked the beginning of a challenging journey that intertwined Kim’s personal and political lives.
As Kim campaigned for the seat left vacant by the former senator of New Jersey, he began to notice troubling signs in his father’s health. A September appointment confirmed his fears: his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, joining over 7.2 million people aged 65 and older in the United States who face this condition. This revelation not only impacted Kim’s family but also placed him among the 63 million Americans who serve as caregivers for aging or disabled relatives.
The reality of the sandwich generation
Kim’s experience positions him within the sandwich generation, comprising primarily millennials and Generation X individuals who care for their children and aging parents while maintaining full-time jobs. In a Senate where the average age of his colleagues is around 64, Kim navigates a complex world of caregiving that resonates with his colleagues and constituents.
Understanding the impact of caregiving
Reflecting on his relationship with his father, Kim acknowledges their bond has been fraught with difficulties. He admits that before his father’s diagnosis, they often clashed due to differing expectations and experiences. “It’s tough to expect someone who grew up without a nurturing family to know how to be a father,” he explains. Despite their challenges, Kim recalls the pride he felt when his father witnessed his historic swearing-in as the first Korean American senator. However, this pride was overshadowed by the harsh reality of his father’s memory loss.
As Alzheimer’s began to erase his father’s recollections, including his work as a geneticist searching for cures for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s, Kim found the situation profoundly heartbreaking. He shared, “It felt as if Alzheimer’s had ultimately triumphed.” These experiences have intensified his commitment to advocating for caregiving as a central issue in his political agenda.
Advocating for a caregiving movement
Now, one year into his Senate career, Kim aims to transform his personal journey into a national cause. He envisions a caregiving movement that prioritizes the needs of caregivers across the country. In his inaugural speech on the Senate floor, he emphasized the necessity of nurturing care within the nation, stating, “We should be caregivers to our nation that needs healing.” His heartfelt address served as both a call to action and a personal testimony to the struggles faced by families across America.
Challenges within a polarized political climate
Despite his passion and vision, Kim recognizes the difficulties of promoting caregiving issues in a polarized political landscape. He likens the current state of American democracy to the instability he observed in countries he worked with during his time at the State Department. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful that focusing on caregiving could unite individuals from all political backgrounds, as it addresses universal human experiences.
As the number of family caregivers has surged by 45% in the last decade, the financial and emotional strain on these individuals has become a national crisis. Kim notes that a significant portion of his salary is now allocated to his father’s care, illustrating the economic burden many face. Experts like Alison Barkoff have pointed out the lack of a robust long-term care system in the U.S., a gap that has widened over the years.
As Kim advances in this advocacy journey, he aims to enhance Medicaid programs, increase financial support for caregivers, and advance research into Alzheimer’s disease. Early discussions with colleagues from both parties have shown promise, but the path forward remains uncertain, particularly in an environment where social safety nets are under threat.
Ultimately, Kim’s mission is about supporting caregivers and fostering a sense of community in addressing the challenges of caregiving. “If this issue can’t bridge the political divide, then we’re in trouble,” he asserts. The future of caregiving in America may hinge on the success of his efforts.