Support for Caregivers
More than 65 million people (29% of the U.S. population) provide care for an aged, chronically ill, or disabled family member or friend during any given year. The average caregiver spends 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one.
These family members provide an estimated $375 billion of services per year. In contrast, nursing home and homecare services cost only $158 billion per year.
53% of caregivers are women, 53% have full-time jobs in addition to their caregiving responsibilities, and 43% percent are the sole providers of care for the person that they are helping.
54% percent of Americans in their 40s are sandwiched between an aging parent and a child that they are helping financially. It is extremely likely that each of us will have the care of a loved one as one of our responsibilities as we age.
I watched my wife make decisions about her mom’s care and provide much of her care over a five-to-seven-year period. We went through every iteration of care option: staying in her home (longer than she should have), home with part-time help, home with full-time help, move to a memory center, and finally a move to full time nursing care.
The emotional and physical drain on my wife was real. We found that planning proactively and having a strategy helped cope with the stress. When a significant event occurred, having a plan reduced the anxiety.
There are many valuable resources to help you navigate your role as a caregiver.
Jennifer A. O’Brien, a Little Rock health care executive, artist and author has written a new book Care Boss: Leadership Strategies & Resources for Family Caregivers. This is a practical book that will help you develop your approach to caring for a loved one while also taking care of yourself. Here is a link to her resources that are actionable support.
I must also recommend her first book, The Hospice Doctor’s Widow. This beautiful journal of thoughts and digital art is a celebration of her and her husband’s love as he is diagnosed with cancer. It honors their relationship, her role as a caregiver, and emphasizes the importance of living in the moment. A beautiful book that helps caregivers think about love, dying, and grief.
Here are some other resources.
Resources for Family Caregivers
This service of the U.S. Administration on Aging lets you type in your ZIP code and find organizations supporting caregivers and older Americans. Typing in my ZIP code returned 10 resources for me to research.
They also have a Caregiver Corner which has answers to questions, information and resources for caregivers.
This nonprofit offers online support tools, a caregiver toolbox, caregiver resources, and news for caregivers. They have a large library of videos on every topic to help with basics, specific elder issues, and managing the emotional toll of chronic caregiving.
Support groups can provide a community of others who understand caregiver’s needs and concerns. There are groups oriented around conditions or geared to younger caregivers. These groups can help with coping strategies, care tips, and advice about managing specific conditions and issues. Most all of these groups are free to anyone.
The Well Spouse Association offer support for spouses caring for a chronically ill husband, wife, or partner. Their resources list links to their Online Forum, the Spousal Caregivers Facebook support group, and a Reddit support group.
VA Family Caregiver Assistance
Several benefits are available for family caregivers of U.S. military veterans. For those who qualify, caregivers can receive education and training, mental health counseling, and financial assistance when traveling with the veteran to receive care. Monthly stipends and respite care are also available. Caregivers can apply for assistance online, by mail, or in person at the nearest VA medical center.
Family caregivers may be able to get financial support from Medicare/Medicaid via self-directed services. Eligibility depends on the state, and enrollment may be a challenge. However, for families that can participate, the cost savings could be significant. Those with Medicare Advantage plans are also eligible for additional caregiver benefits.
Respite care can be an essential part of caregiving strategy to limit the physical and emotional exhaustion from taking care of a loved one. A break from care responsibilities can help you recharge and be more effective. This site is an excellent site for navigating this area.
These resources will help you research, and plan should the time come, and you are called to help care for a loved one.
Ralph Broadwater, M.D., CFP®
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