A new survey underscores the emotional stress and challenges family caregivers face on a daily basis.
The study sponsored by the Certification for Long-term Care, home care firm Home Instead and technology-enabled healthcare service firm Homethrive found that 80% of 400 family caregivers polled often or always provide emotional support to a loved one needing long-term care. More than one third said they worry about juggling family caregiving with work, while 44% said using paid home care would help reduce the emotional and physical strain of being a caregiver.
“The findings reinforce what we know so well at CLTC. Most family caregivers experience significant emotional, physical and financial strain trying to do it all,” CLTC Executive Director Amber Pate said of the study. “Having a plan can accommodate the addition of professional home care, relieving the burden on family and allowing for needed self-care.”
The family caregiver survey follows a recent study by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), which found that 11 million middle-income seniors won’t be able to afford assisted living or qualify for Medicaid-funded long-term care, possibly shifting more care to families. A 2020 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP estimated up to 9.5 million Americans are already family caregivers.
Arizona recently became the first state to pay family caregivers under the state’s Medicaid program. Other states are considering similar programs.
