Everyone begins and ends life with the help of a caregiver. But who are those providers, and how do they do it?

In this follow-up to actor Bradley Cooper’s PBS documentary about the “invisible, unpaid army” of Americans who look after aging or dependent loved ones, Kansas City PBS host Nick Haines moderates a discussion on the state of aging and caregiving in Kansas City.

Recent reports estimate that between 53 million to 105.6 million U.S. adults provide unpaid care for family and friends, and about 5.4 million children and adolescents find themselves in that role. Nationally, only about 5 million are “direct care workers” and in 2023, they earned less than $24,000 a year.

These caregivers need varying types and levels of support which they often can’t find. But even when they do receive support, the role often feels like a heavy burden. The aging of the Baby Boomer generation highlights how the national caregiving infrastructure is broken; now is an especially important time to discuss solutions.

Kansas City PBS will air the two-hour Caregiving in its entirety on June 24.