Commissioner Monica Gordon to Introduce Resolution Expanding Support for Family Caregivers
The Growing Importance of Family Caregiving
According to the most recent report from The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP published in 2020, 53 million people are providing unpaid care in the U.S. with family caregivers now encompassing more than one in five Americans. Caregiving remains an activity among all generations, racial/ethnic groups, income or educational levels, family types, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Demographics of Family Caregivers
Three in 5 caregivers are women (61 percent) and 2 in 5 are men (39 percent). Six in 10 caregivers report being non-Hispanic White (61 percent), 17 percent are Hispanic or Latino, 14 percent non-Hispanic African American or Black, 5 percent Asian American and Pacific Islander, and 3 percent some other race/ethnicity, including multiracial.
The Burden of Family Caregiving
“According to a recent JAMA Health forum, every day, millions of Americans provide unpaid care for a family member or friend. The COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis of care, with millions of people now more reliant on unpaid caregiving and 40% of caregiving increasing the number of hours of care they provide. The burden of unpaid care needs continues to disproportionately fall on women, with devastating effects on health, wellbeing, and labor force participation.” says Commissioner Gordon.
The Financial Consequences of Family Caregiving
Furthermore, the economic effects of family caregiving can result in financial strain with substantial short-term and long-term financial consequences. About one in five caregivers report experiencing high financial strain because of providing care to their loved ones.
A New Approach to Supporting Family Caregivers
Commissioner Gordon adds, “Family caregivers are key partners in the provision of health care and long-term services and support. As a government, we must create public policy to optimize the well-being of family caregivers by leveraging resources from county agencies to assist them in diverse communities.”
Resolution Introduction
Commissioner Gordon and her colleagues will detail the resolution, expressing that family caregivers are key partners in the provision of health care and long-term services and support. In addition, Commissioners and advocates will discuss potential areas within public policy that can address the financial burden on individual family caregivers.
Conclusion
The resolution aims to create a more supportive system for family caregivers, acknowledging their importance in the provision of healthcare and long-term services and support. By acknowledging the challenges faced by family caregivers and working to address them, we can create a more sustainable and equitable system for all.
FAQs
* What is the purpose of the resolution?
The resolution aims to expand support for family caregivers, recognizing their important role in providing health care and long-term services and support.
* Who is behind the resolution?
Commissioner Monica Gordon and her colleagues are supporting the resolution.
* How will the resolution help family caregivers?
The resolution aims to address the financial burden on individual family caregivers and create more resources for them to access through county agencies.
* What is the current state of family caregiving in the US?
According to the most recent report from The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 53 million people are providing unpaid care in the US, with family caregivers now encompassing more than one in five Americans.
