Face of caregivers shifting
One of humanity’s most celebrated achievements is a longer life span. Link that to the aging boomer population, and the other side of the coin emerges: the challenges of caring for aging bodies and minds — a growing, transformative phenomenon.
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Time to celebrate the contributions of those who support a loved one (on average aged 69 or older). “Care” means assisting with health and personal needs, or managing a disability. Doctor visits, paperwork, and legal forms — such as powers of attorney, Social Security, Medicare, and health records — to sort out. Bathing, laundry, cooking and housework.
It’s a rewarding but sometimes exhaustingly literal labor of love. Emotions — in individual and complex relationships, and those elicited by experiencing the changes which aging can bring — make this journey unique for all concerned.
The profile of an average family caregiver in the U.S. is changing as the population ages, according to the latest research sponsored by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. As the report, “Caregiving in the U.S. 2015” illustrates:
•Average caregiver household income is $45,700
•While age and gender vary, the typical caregiver is a 49-year-old woman providing 62 hours of care per week. However, men are increasingly taking on this role and now comprise nearly 40 percent of caregivers.
•The typical “higher-hour” caregiver is one who provides unpaid care for 21 or more hours per week, has been caring for at least five years, and expects to continue for another five. Half of these report high emotional stress.
•Caregivers report difficulty finding affordable services, such as meals, transportation, or in-home health aides to help.
•While 82 percent of caregivers live with, or within 20 minutes of the loved one, four of 10 caregivers who live more than an hour away report additional expenses of travel and more paid help.
•About half of caregivers, including those who do not live with the care recipient, work at least part-time. Those who work average 34 hours per week.
One of the ways caregivers are changing is the increasing subpopulation of younger people caring for older parents or relatives. Nearly one-quarter of U.S. caregivers are millennials between 18 and 34; within that group male and female ratios are equal.
At the other end are caregivers — often spouses — aged 75 or older who tend to be the sole source of support, typically without help from relatives, friends, or paid services. These caregivers often need care themselves, but aren’t getting it. This naturally impacts both parties.
What kind of support would help? Being designated as caregiver in the medical records of the care recipient, at each doctor’s office and medical facility. Respite care (mini vacations, or even a few hours off while others care for the recipient, either personal assistance or at residential care homes) can help the caregiver rest and find renewed energy. Access to free or affordable resources such as premade, homecooked meals, lawn care, cleaning, and low-level nursing can help caregivers shoulder the weight of so many responsibilities. Supporting the caregiver also supports the care recipient.
According to AARP’s Public Policy Institute, research indicates America is facing a caregiving cliff, when need will overwhelm the number of available caregivers and resources. Increased help, long-term services for the aged, and support systems are an absolute must.
For an adult to return the care once given by older family members is an honor worth supporting, and prioritizing as a society.
“It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.” — Mother Teresa
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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.