Supporting Caregivers as They Care for Others

​Millions of Americans serve as caregivers, part-time and full-time, to elderly loved ones or those with disabilities. Many of them face challenges in their roles and benefit from increased assistance, such as 

The US Census Bureau confirms that America's population continues to age. The population of Americans aged 65 years and above hit 58 million in 2022. It expects this number to rise to 82 million by 2050. In addition, the CDC estimates that two-thirds of seniors will need caregiving assistance.

A 2020 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that 41.8 million Americans provide care to a loved one aged 50 years and older. Their care involves assisting with daily activities like cooking, cleaning, laundry, managing medication, and shopping for groceries and household items. They also help with managing finances and transportation.

Caring for seniors offers several benefits to caregivers, such as fulfillment. Some caregivers receive gratitude as caregiving uplifts and increases their self-confidence. Caregivers can also enjoy talking to seniors as they share their life experiences. Moreover, caregivers can learn and expand their social networks and develop new skills as their care recipients have varying needs.

Nonetheless, caregiving has challenges, such as physical and emotional stress. In addition, some caregivers have jobs besides caregiving. The National Alliance for Caregiving/AARP study found that 61 percent of caregivers juggled work and caregiving. Given that caregivers provide, on average, 23.7 hours of care weekly, many become fatigued from rotating between work and caregiving.

Some caregivers face financial challenges. They may provide their caregiving services for free and chip in with expenses like groceries, transportation, and health care. On top of that, they might make professional sacrifices to provide care, limiting their earning potential. A 2023 AARP survey found that one in four caregivers moved from full-time to part-time work or reduced their work hours to give care, while about one in six turned down a promotion. Further, 16 percent of caregivers stopped working completely for some time.

These challenges can burden caregivers, compromising their physical and mental health. The CDC has found that 20 percent of caregivers report fair or poor health. For example, senior caregivers aged above 65 face a higher risk of developing heart disease.

Caregivers provide an essential service to society. Therefore, society benefits from supporting them. 

People can support caregivers by lending a helping hand where possible. They can visit their caregiver friends and help them do housework for care recipients. They can also do light errands, such as picking up prescriptions. Sorting house expenses is another way to help. They can complete grocery shopping or help with out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Some people can step in for the caregivers, allowing them to take breaks. Having these breaks will help them relax and recharge, preventing caregiver burnout.

Finally, people with caregiver friends should contact them often to help them cope with stress. Simply checking up on them, asking them how they feel, and listening to them non-judgmentally helps. After listening, they could recommend self-care activities and remind caregivers to set aside time for themselves. 

Companies that employ caregivers can also support them. Flexible work schedules, remote work options, and paid leave can make a difference. Organizations can also sponsor access to caregiving support groups and financial coaching for caregivers who manage their loved one's finances.

Lastly, executives can enact caregiver-supportive policies and train managers on caregiver-supportive managerial practices.

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