There are interesting findings in the November 2020 Caregiving study sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC). Some new trends have emerged since the 2015 study. Overall, family caregivers are still viewed as the backbone of care for aged and disabled family members. In fact, they provide the equivalent of $600 billion in unpaid care in the U.S. In most instances, when relatives are caregivers, the care recipients are usually parents and, to some degree, spouses. These sons and daughters step up to the plate in terms of monitoring, advocating, and communicating for their loved ones in Todt Hill.
Caregiving is Difficult
“Family caregivers are a scarce resource and should be protected and supported,” says Susan Reinhard of the AARP.
Though a labor of love and devotion, significantly more caregivers in 2020 are reporting that they find it difficult to coordinate care for their charges aged 50+. In fact, 39% report that their caregiving is of a “high intensity”. This is an index composite based on the number of hours of care provided and the number of activities of daily living (ADLs) the care recipient requires. As expected, those who live with their care recipient have a higher intensity index. In many cases, relatives are caregivers who have had to cut down on their work hours or quit their jobs. This also adds to anxiety in many ways such as reduced income and more concentrated time caregiving.
Aging-In-Place In Another’s Home
The study found that there has been a bit of a shift in the care recipient living in their loved ones home as opposed to aging in their own home. As expected, this skews by income with the lower income families experiencing this more often. These relatives are caregivers most often for their moms and dads. These adult children caregivers are reporting memory deficits and Alzheimer’s disease more often in 2020 than they did in 2015. This trend, along with the economic downturn, may be part of the explanation for the shift. These factors may also be causes for the growing anxiety trend.
Demographic Shifts
As Baby Boomers grow older and older and the birthrate declines, we are headed into a period where there will not be enough family caregivers for the elderly. New business models are sorely needed. Flexible work schedules among family members are one way to attack the issue. Another avenue is outside care. Getting help from healthcare professionals of various skill levels on a paid, subsidized, and unpaid basis will continue to be ever more critical. We, as a society, and families on the front lines need to come up with creative solutions.
Help Can Be a Lifesaver
Relatives are caregivers who never get to go home from their work. Understandably, stress can build to an intense level. All these point to the need to either have extra help or plan for it.
Most households have help to varying degrees. This help can be paid or unpaid or a mix of both. Each care plan is so highly individualized that no two are exactly the same. Of course, mitigating factors are the number of hours the care recipient needs help, the availability of the family caregiver, and the economic resources available in terms of community and government services and private pay situations.
Home Care Agency Can Smooth Bumps
Find one that is there for you. An agency must help shoulder the huge responsibility of caregiving. You need one that supports the family as decision makers and senior partners in the care of the elderly and disabled. They must know that relatives are caregivers that keenly monitor and advocate for their loved ones. Home care professionals of all stripes must depend first and foremost on their communication of client needs and requirements as the key driver in caring for care recipients.
Relatives Are Caregivers: They Need Support
DYA has lots of resources and experience. Here is a page of resources for caregivers that could support you in your time of need. Please feel free to download, print, and share our publication Resources for Caregivers.
David York Agency Homecare Helps Seniors in Todt Hill
At David York Agency, we understand the many challenges and risks faced by the aging and elderly. We are dedicated to providing care to support them through all of those ups and downs. At David York Home Healthcare Agency, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies in Todt Hill that provide in home healthcare services.
DYA we could provide direction as to how to manage the total care of your senior loved one. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations. For more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at (718) 376-7755. A free phone consultation can help you determine what services would meet your needs. We aim to provide you and your loved one with the assistance they need. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
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