The vast majority of caregiving for the elderly is not provided in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or even adult day care programs. Most seniors are able to receive care at home, allowing them to remain in their community. And of those who can stay home, the overwhelming majority are cared for not by professional home health aides, but by family. A new survey from the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) shows that the number of persons who provided care for an elderly, disabled or chronically ill relative during the past year is more than twice as large as had been previously thought. Survey results indicate 26.6 percent of the adult population was involved in caregiving during the past 12 months. Based on current census data, that translates to more than 54 million people. Approximately 80 percent of home care services are provided by family caregivers.[1]�
At a time when members of the baby boom generation are still caring for their own children, concerned with their own careers, and even beginning to plan for their own retirement, caring for an elderly loved one can bring one’s stress level to the breaking point.[2]� Not only do family members provide care to elderly spouses and parents to the possible detriment of their own careers, family relationships, and health, they do it for free. Of course, “free” has its own price. The value of the services family caregivers provide for “free” is estimated to be $196 billion a year.[3]� A recent study calculated that American business loses between $11 billion and $29 billion each year due to employees’ need to care for seniors.[4]� Yet with all of the hardship, family members continue to make the necessary sacrifices in order to provide ongoing care and assistance to their elderly loved ones.
