Ever since President Clinton made the first proclamation of National Family Caregivers Month in 1997, November has been a time of gratitude for our nation’s caregivers. If you’re currently caring for a family member or loved one, you deserve our biggest
thank you.
November is also a time to reflect on how care giving affects people. As the health of loved ones declines, they need more and more time and attention from family members and those close to them. In time, this extra burden takes its toll on caregivers -- in more ways than one.
What’s the true cost of caregiving?
The act of caregiving can be very stressful, both mentally and physically. Recently, the University of Michigan completed a study to show the financial costs of caregiving -- particularly among those with dementia, a common affliction among older Americans. Among their findings:
- Caring for older Americans with dementia, including assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, shopping, etc., costs the nation more than $18 billion a year in time spent.
- On average, those who care for older Americans with dementia give even more of their time. Elders with normal cognitive function receive 4.6 hours of help per week. Elders with mild dementia receive 13.1 hours, and those with severe dementia require 46.1 hours.
- Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia, is projected to more than triple in the United States over the next 50 years, from about 2.3 million to 8.7 million cases, significantly increasing the demand on the nation’s unpaid and paid caregivers. By 2030, the AARP projects that about one in five Americans will be age 65 or older.
One thing is clear: family caregivers bear a tremendous burden and have a significant impact on the U.S. economy. As the U.S. population ages and life expectancy increases, the role of the caregiver will only become more important. It’s crucial that we recognize their sacrifices, and give them help whenever it’s needed.
If you or someone you know is a family caregiver with a full plate, don’t wait until things get overwhelming. Talk to someone about getting some help, even if it’s just a few hours a week. That can make all the difference in the life of the caregiver -- and in turn, the older loved one.
» Learn about a new caregiver relief program
» Talk with your Home Helpers representative today about caregiver assistance
About Home Helpers
Home Helpers is the region’s premier provider of non-medical caregiving services for seniors, people coping with a lifelong illness or disability, and those recuperating from a recent surgery or hospitalization. Home Helpers is an agency, not a registry. We therefore employ our caregivers, and actively train, supervise and manage them. Our caregivers are thoroughly screened using our exclusive Care Check System™, which far exceeds state requirements. By utilizing our Client & Caregiver Matching System™, we ensure the best caregiver selection for our valued clients. We are committed to the delivery of a remarkable home care experience for the families we have the privilege of serving.
We don’t just take care of our clients, we plan for them, using our comprehensive and customized Home Helpers Total Care Plan™. Home Helpers is proactive, not reactive, and offers a flexible, affordable continuum of care that changes as our clients’ needs change. We tailor our care plans to our clients’ unique needs, and tap our extensive network of referral resources relevant to every aspect of care.
From occasional companionship services to full personal care and hospice support, the team at Home Helpers is with you every step of the way, providing guidance, reassurance and compassionate care, always.
To learn more about Home Helpers’ Total Care Plan™, call us at (877) 464-9090 or visit our website, www.HomeHelpersPhilly.com