November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the efforts of family caregivers across the United States. While caregiving provides meaningful rewards, it also comes with significant challenges because of the physical, emotional and financial strain.
This role involves assisting aging, ill or disabled loved ones with tasks like managing medications, providing personal care and overseeing daily activities.
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According to a 2020 report by the AARP, an estimated 53 million unpaid caregivers were in the U.S. That figure represents an increase of 9.5 million compared to 2015.
While many caregivers willingly take on this role, this same study found nearly a quarter of them report difficulties maintaining their own health. Some even said their health had worsened as a result of their caregiving responsibilities.
The financial contribution of caregivers is also substantial. AARP estimated in 2021 that unpaid family caregivers provided care valued at $600 billion.
Financial support for caregivers
For those looking to ease the financial burden, USA.gov outlines several options for family members to get paid as caregivers:
- State Medicaid programs: Some states allow caregivers to receive compensation through Medicaid programs, though eligibility requirements vary. Contact your state’s Medicaid office for more information.
- Long-term care insurance: Certain policies allow family members to be compensated for caregiving.
- Veterans programs: Three programs are available for veterans and their caregivers.
- Other resources: Paid family leave and assistance from Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are additional options to explore.
Supporting caregivers’ health
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers recommendations to help caregivers maintain their health and well-being:
- Respite care: Taking periodic breaks from caregiving responsibilities can reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
- Seek support: Family, friends, health care providers, nonprofit organizations or government agencies can provide help with tasks or emotional support.
- Offer support to caregivers: If you know a caregiver, simple gestures like running errands or checking in regularly can make a big difference.
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Caregiving plays an essential role in many families but it requires both emotional and financial support. Understanding the resources available can help caregivers manage their responsibilities and maintain their well-being.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH… RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS OF THOSE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
BUT WHILE CAREGIVING CAN PROVIDE MEANINGFUL REWARDS… IT CAN ALSO COME WITH SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES AND DEMANDS.
FAMILY CAREGIVING REFERS TO THE ASSISTANCE THAT FAMILY MEMBERS OR CLOSE FRIENDS PROVIDE TO LOVED ONES WHO ARE AGING, ILL, OR DISABLED.
THIS CAN INCLUDE MANAGING MEDICATIONS AND PROVIDING PERSONAL CARE… TO OVERSEEING DAILY TASKS.
ACCORDING TO A 20-20 REPORT FROM A-A-R-P, THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED 53 *MILLION* UNPAID CAREGIVERS IN THE U-S.
THAT FIGURE REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 9-POINT-FIVE* MILLION COMPARED TO 20-15.
WHILE MANY CAREGIVERS WILLINGLY TAKE ON THESE ROLES… THIS REPORT SHOWS THAT NEARLY A QUARTER OF THEM REPORT DIFFICULTIES MAINTAINING THEIR OWN HEALTH DUE TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.
SOME ALSO INDICATED THEIR HEALTH HAS WORSENED AS A RESULT.
AND IT’S NOT JUST A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL STRAIN.
IN 2021, A SEPARATE A-A-R-P STUDY ESTIMATED THAT UNPAID FAMILY CAREGIVERS PROVIDED CARE VALUED AT 600-BILLION DOLLARS… REFLECTING THE SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION.
USA-DOT-GOV OUTLINES SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS TO GET PAID AS A CAREGIVER.
ONE OPTION IS THROUGH A STATE MEDICAID PROGRAM, THOUGH EACH STATE HAS DIFFERENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
IT’S ADVISED TO CONTACT YOUR STATE’S MEDICAID OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
IF THE PERSON IN NEED OF CARE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID… SOME LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE POLICIES ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS TO BE COMPENSATED AS CAREGIVERS.
ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE THREE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR VETERANS.
WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING CAREGIVERS MAINTAIN THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING… THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION… OR C-D-C… OFFERS SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
TAKING PERIODIC BREAKS FROM CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES IS KNOWN AS “RESPITE CARE”… AND A FEW HOURS OF THIS EACH WEEK CAN HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING.
IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR CAREGIVERS TO SEEK HELP FROM OTHERS.
TALKING TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ABOUT CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES MAY HELP CONNECT THEM WITH SUPPORT SERVICES.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS CAN PLAY A ROLE BY ASSISTING WITH TASKS AND HELPING CAREGIVERS MANAGE THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE NEEDS.
CAREGIVING IS AN ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT REQUIRES BOTH EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. UNDERSTANDING AVAILABLE RESOURCES CAN MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN EASING THE CHALLENGE FAMILY CAREGIVERS FACE.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KENNEDY FELTON.
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