Don’t try this at home alone, yet millions do and discover just how hard it is, and the toll it takes on their health.
Last year, over 1 million Texas family members and friends provided 1.5 billion hours of #unpaid care valued at $23.9 billion. Texas #dementia #caregivers also reported significant #emotional, #physical and #health-related #challenges as a result of caregiving, including:
● 59% of Texas dementia caregivers reported at least one #chronic condition.
● 26.7 % reported #depression.
● 11.2% reported frequent #poor #health.
Caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia is especially demanding. As disease-related symptoms worsen, caregiving responsibilities intensify. Over time, caregivers can experience increased emotional and physical stress making it more difficult to care for their loved ones.
According to the new report, 83% of the help provided to older adults in the United States comes from #family members, friends or other unpaid caregivers. Nearly half of all caregivers (48%) who provide help to older adults do so for someone with #Alzheimer’s or another dementia. #Nationwide, there are an estimated 11.5 million caregivers providing unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Last year, these caregivers provided 18.4 billion hours of care valued at nearly $347 billion.
The cost of caregiving is one more stressor for families. The lifetime #cost of caring for someone with dementia is estimated at nearly $400,000 with 70% of this cost borne by family caregivers. It’s a financial burden for which very few families are prepared.
We tend to think about Alzheimer’s just in terms of caregiving. The
National Aging In Place Council (NAIPC) represents thousands of caregivers across the country, but what people forget is the importance of knowing how to deliver care effectively. That’s why a team is always more effective than any individual caregiver could ever hope to be.
More effective caregiving lessons the emotional and physical burden on families and provides the loved one with a higher quality of life. Our teams help with the physical spaces and help bring trauned eyes and a network of support with them.
Caregiving is still hard work but our members help maintain dignity and quality of life for all.