The burdens of caregiving and the shortage of home care workers are putting added strain on families, according to a new survey.
Family First, a technology-powered caregiving support benefit, polled health plan Medicare and Medicaid members who have a family caregiver and found nearly 60% experienced suicidal thoughts during the pandemic. More than half of respondents said they felt like they were a burden on the family and more than 60% said their caregiving needs were having a negative impact on their relationship with their family caregivers. Nearly 70% wanted caregiver support to be a benefit included in their health plans.
“Medicare and Medicaid members and their loved ones should not have to manage these caregiving challenges alone. They and their caregiving providers deserve real and actionable support,” Evan Falchuk, CEO and Chairman of Family, said in a press release. “By providing clinical caregiving resources and expertise, health plans have the power to truly help members and their caregivers address mental health challenges, combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, navigate family dynamics, and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.”
Family First said it conducted the survey to better understand the emotional, mental, physical and financial challenges family caregivers have endured during the COVID-19 pandemic and what health plans can do to support them.
