Wednesday, November 10, 2021
During National Family Caregivers month, we celebrate the millions of Americans who step into the role of family caregiver. A family caregiver is defined as an individual who cares for a loved one with a short-term or long-term disability or illness. Also known as an informal or unpaid caregiver, they provide invaluable care to those who need some degree of ongoing assistance with everyday tasks on a regular basis.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25% of U.S. adults 18 years of age and older provide unpaid care or assistance to a loved one. In addition, most of those caregivers are looking after care recipients who are 50 or older. On average, they provide about 37.4 hours of care per week, making it equivalent to a full-time job. As the number of aging Americans increases, more and more people will step into the role of being a family caregiver.
To address the needs of family caregivers and the new realities they may face, AgeGuide helps to provide many programs, services, and resources:
- Tailored Care, the family caregiver self-assessment questionnaire helps family caregivers manage their own needs by creating a customized care plan that can be used to combat burnout. Take the self-assessment questionnaire here.
- Stress Busting Program for Family Caregivers is available at no cost to teach stress management techniques, relaxation, coping strategies, and much more. Contact AgeGuide at (800) 528-2000 for more information.
- Caregiver Support Programs are available in the eight-county region that AgeGuide serves. The program includes several resources such as Caregiver Resource Centers and Caregiver Counseling Centers that may provide respite services to offer a break from caregiving, assistance to purchase items not covered by insurance, support groups, legal services, and training or education sessions. The program also provides services to Relatives Raising Children. Click here for more information.
