Family caregiving for relatives or close friends
with chronic, disabling, or serious health problems so they can remain in their
home is nearly universal today. In 2013, about 40 million family caregivers
helped another adult loved one carry out daily activities (such as bathing or
dressing, preparing meals, administering medications, driving to doctor visits,
and paying bills).
“Family caregiving today is much more complex,
stressful, and costly for caregivers than ever before,” said AARP
CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. “This new report shows some of the progress that’s been
made to help caregivers, but we need to do much more in public policy, in the
workplace, and in the health care system.”
Family Caregivers in the Future
As Americans live longer and have fewer children,
fewer family members will be available for older adults to rely on for everyday
help in the future. The ratio of potential family caregivers to the growing
number of older people has already begun a steep decline. In 2010, there were
7.2 potential family caregivers for every person age 80 and older. By 2030,
that ratio will fall sharply to 4 to 1, and is projected to drop further to 3
to 1 in 2050.
Impact of Caregiving on Jobs, Money, and Health
Family caregivers report that the stress of
caregiving affects their physical and emotional health, finances, and their
jobs.
- More than half (55%) of family caregivers report being overwhelmed
by the amount of care their family member needs.
- Nearly 4 in 10 (38%) family caregivers report a moderate (20%) to
high degree (18%) of financial strain as a result of providing care.
- In 2014, the majority (60%) of family caregivers had full- or
part-time jobs.
Strategies and Policies Needed to Help Caregivers
“Over the past four years since the last report came
out, we’ve seen a number of new policies at the federal and state level that
are improving awareness about family caregivers’ needs,” saidSusan C. Reinhard,
RN, PhD, Senior Vice President and Director, AARP Public Policy Institute,
and lead author of the new report.. “We need multiple approaches to better help
caregiving families, including such things as tax credits, improved workplace
flexibility, respite care, home care services, and better training of family
caregivers. Solutions to support family caregivers will need to come from both
the private and public sectors.”
“Valuing
the Invaluable: 2015 Update” Methodology
The estimates in this report by AARP’s Public Policy
Institute are based on a meta-analysis of 11 U.S.-based surveys of family
caregivers conducted between 2009 and 2014. Estimates are based on about 40
million caregivers providing an average of 18 hours of care per week to a
parent, spouse/partner, or other adult loved one, at an average value of $12.51
per hour. ‘Caregiver’ is defined as an adult age 18 and older providing care to
a parent, spouse, or other adult loved one with their daily activities such as
bathing or dress, preparing meals, and/or managing their finances, currently or
within the last month.
Caregiving Resources:
- AARP
Caregiving Resource Center
- Caregiving
in the US: 2015 Report
- Home
Alone: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Chronic Care (October
2012)
- The
ABA/AARP Checklist for Family Caregivers: A Guide to Making It Manageable (2015)
- Amy
Goyer’s ABA/AARP Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving (2015)
- AARP’s I
Heart Caregivers Initiative
# # #
About AARP AARP is a
nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million,
that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities,
strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families
such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning,
affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for
individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high
quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain
discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted
source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP
The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org;
AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language
website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse
candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or
candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides
security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support
from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. Learn more atwww.aarp.org.
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