The Future of Care: Building a Compassionate and Innovative Economy
Oct 10, 2025By Christine Robinson, Visioning Strategist at FutureGood
Christine Robinson is a Visioning Strategist at FutureGood. Connect with her on LinkedIn or reach out to her by email at [email protected].
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The care economy underpins a thriving society, including those who care for children, people with disabilities, and older adults—both paid and unpaid. Strong care benefits families, communities, economies, well-being, and our collective future.
Decades of underinvestment have strained families, undervalued caregivers, and left many without support. Six emerging trends are shaping a care system for all.
Redefining Care and the Care Workforce
The next decade offers a chance to redefine care as a respected, well-paid profession. Competitive wages, career paths, mental health support, paid leave, and leadership development can make caregiving a lifelong vocation. Valuing care work is valuing humanity.
Early Care and Education: Our Youngest Matter
High-quality early care and education shape lifelong outcomes. Advocacy for universal access, new partnerships, and research advances move the sector toward more equitable, holistic support. Inclusive, culturally responsive curricula address gaps and build resilience.
Equity and Cultural Belonging
Care is shaped by race, gender, and class. Women—especially women of color—comprise most of the workforce and shoulder unpaid responsibilities. Future investments must prioritize equity through fair wages, accessible services, and culturally responsive approaches.
Disability and Dignity
Over 83 million Americans live with a disability, highlighting the need for inclusive, adaptive support. Investing in care is a moral and economic necessity, recognizing everyone’s dignity and potential.
An Aging Society
By 2035, older adults will outnumber children in the U.S. Most families will require long-term, home-based support. This shift demands new care infrastructure, community models, and sustainable financing so that aging with dignity becomes the norm. Cross-sector collaboration can unlock funding, modernize facilities, and create equitable workforce pipelines. Care infrastructure can be the cornerstone of prosperity.
Technology-Enabled Care
Digital tools, from remote monitoring to AI-driven scheduling, are transforming care. Technology should enhance—not replace—human connection. Inclusive, ethical innovation expands access, letting caregivers focus on compassionate, personalized care.
A Shared Vision for the Future
A strong care economy ensures everyone—infants, people with disabilities, elders—has affordable, high-quality, culturally rooted support. Here, innovation meets compassion, policy reflects shared humanity, and caregivers thrive.
The time to build this future is now. When care is strong, communities, our economy, and our nation thrive together.
If your nonprofit or foundation wants to explore how you can help shape the future of the care economy, send me a message on LinkedIn or send me an email here. I’d love to connect and talk about what’s possible.
