The hidden costs of unpaid caregiving in the U.S. are taking a massive toll on families across the country. As Caring Across Generations’ Nicole Jorwic puts it: The situation is “beyond a crisis point.” This important CBS Mornings series from Lisa Ling sheds a much-needed light on the issue, as well as the solutions that could help caregivers and their families get the support they need.
The hidden costs of unpaid caregiving in America
cbsnews.com
Sad to say that unpaid caregiving is also disproportionately shouldered by women
This issue is compounded by those not only taking care of elderly family members but also taking care of their children with special needs at the same time. The cost of caregiving a family member is astronomical and most states do not even allow adult children to be paid as caregivers. Families are placed in poverty because of the lack of non-familial caregivers, the high cost of private caregivers, and the inability of adult children to find a job that understands the needs of being a caregiver.
Plan: Our family had 2 parents who lived to 94 & 97--16 years my mother could not see with progressive Macular Degeneration & my father who took care of her 10 of those years fell & broke 2 lumbar.--They called it Dementia, instead, what it was Pain-related delirium! He had pain--but did not report it (nerves numb with age) he received no pain pills. He was removed to the VA where he stayed to his death. The care of mom required creativity. She stayed home & always pleasant -we worked it out. One caretaker 9-12:30 am $30.00 per hour gave her baths 3 times per week. Another caretaker 9-1:00 pm 3 more of the days $18.00 per hour took care of home issues with minor housekeeping. Feeding her required very little as she generally stopped eating full meals 3 years before she died & she slept much of the day. Dressed every day & in her rocking chair in the sun in the front shaded window. And, the last caretaker $15.00 hr. (3) afternoons a week 1:30 -3:30---just to be there & talk with her. Gave us Home care and her bills took about 3200 per month. Also though my mother was cognitively fine she could use a commode when alone- even though mostly blind. The reason I mention all this is- She was happy home while nursing homes were $9000.
Edie Fraser
2w
Support #Caring and thanks for pushing hard on key issue with & Pivotal Ventures
The Allie Alliance - Experience-Retail and Hospitality Worker with Creative Writing Studies
2w'Fifty-three million people are unpaid caregivers, many of whom are part of the "sandwich generation" - simultaneously raising children and caring for aging parents.'... I, the eldest son, was responsible for taking care of my father the last few years of his life... At the time, I had 'disability insurance' through Social Security, and thankfully that income coupled with my father's retirement allowed me to care for him, and he lived in relative comfort until his passing... Also, I was able to relocate from Texas back to New Jersey, as well be able to become a full-time caregiver, because I had that flexibility with the 'disability insurance.'... But having been diagnosed Bi-Polar with High-Functioning Autism made some things challenging... For example, I clearly remember the gleam of pride my father always carried, undaunted, in his eyes... Unfaded... Chiseled away a bit when I, for safety reasons, demanded he hand his car keys over to me; chiseled more when I began to have to help him dress... Completely gone when he went from showering himself to me bathing him in the bathtub... Imagine these experiences are relatable to caregivers... I couldn't imagine caregiving under considerable financial strain... This must change!...