63 Million Americans Face Growing Caregiver Burden as Aging Parents' Needs Snowball
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 31
63 Million Americans Face Growing Caregiver Burden as Aging Parents' Needs Snowball
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 31
Summary
63 million Americans now serve as caregivers, and experts say many slide into the role gradually through “caregiver creep” as small errands expand into sustained unpaid care.
94% of caregivers support an adult, while 59% are women, with Gen X and millennial women often absorbing care for parents, children and careers at once as the oldest baby boomers turn 80.
ADL and IADL changes—such as trouble bathing, dressing, shopping, driving or managing money—are key signs an older person needs more support, and geriatric specialists urge families to start planning conversations early.
Costs can quickly outstrip what families can absorb: median prices run $34 an hour for home care, $5,419 a month for assisted living and $6,690 for skilled memory care.
Unpaid caregiving is valued at more than $870 billion, and the strain is spawning support efforts such as caregiver newsletters, podcasts, social-worker referrals and disease-specific support groups.