More than 60 million Americans provide care for elderly, disabled, and frail loved ones. These caregivers often go unnoticed and unappreciated by their families, friends, and neighbors. The estimated value of the uncompensated care they provide is $375-500 billion per year.
In honor of these unrecognized heroes, November has been proclaimed National Family Caregiver Month. As our society ages, so will the need for and burden on family caregivers. It is important to understand what caregivers sacrifice and how we can all help.
Family caregivers make financial sacrifices when they provide care. They lose wages, leave time, and job promotions as they take time to complete the tasks their loved one needs. Many also contribute financially to the care of their loved one. The average family caregiver, according to many studies, spends $5000 a year of their own money supplementing the care for a loved one. In addition, over the course of a lifetime, the personal cost of being a family caregiver can be $300,000.00 in lost wages, lost retirement, lost investment interest, and missed wage increases.
Family caregivers also make personal sacrifices, such as reduced time with family, less social interaction, and fewer leisure activities. Family caregivers report higher incidents of conflict within their marriages, higher incidents of depression, and overall poorer health than those individuals who are not family caregivers. Family caregivers are also more likely to suffer long term negative health impacts such as heart disease, high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke, and increased risks for diabetes. Family caregivers can also develop caregiver burnout, due to the increased stresses of caregiving.
There are many ways that family members, friends, neighbors, and community members can help family caregivers. Simple acts of kindness, recognition, and understanding can mean a great deal to a caregiver. Over the next year, take a few moments each week and reach out to the family caregivers in your life. Here are 10 ways you can help: 10 Ways to Help the Family Caregiver In Your Life.
