scholarly journals Caregiver Health and Well-Being, and Financial Strain

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 681-682
Author(s):  
Susan Reinhard ◽  
Lynn Feinberg
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Caregiver Health ◽  
Financial Impacts ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Family caregivers often face key challenges when caring for a relative or close friend with health or functional needs. This paper presents findings from Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 on the impact of caregiving on the physical health and well-being of family caregivers and the financial impacts of family care. The data suggest that the caregiver’s own health has declined, with 1 in 5 (21%) saying they are in fair to poor health themselves, up from 17 percent in 2015. Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) feel caregiving has made their health worse. Nearly 4 in 10 (38%) family caregivers of adults experience a moderate to a high degree of financial strain from providing care. Forty-five percent have experienced at least one financial impact (e.g., stopped savings, debt, ability to pay bills, and ability to afford necessary expenses, like food). These findings reveal that because family caregiving today is more complex, costly, and stressful than in the past, action is needed to recognize and support family caregivers in the U.S adequately.

scholarly journals Caregiving in a Pandemic: COVID-19 and the Well-Being of Family Caregivers 55+ in the United States

2022 ◽  
pp. 107755872110624
Author(s):  
Yulya Truskinovsky ◽  
Jessica M. Finlay ◽  
Lindsay C. Kobayashi
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
More Care ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Little is known about the effects of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on older family caregivers. Using data from a national sample of 2,485 U.S. adults aged ≥55, we aimed to describe the magnitude of disruptions to family care arrangements during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the associations between these disruptions and the mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, loneliness, and self-rated health) and employment outcomes (job loss or furlough, hours or wages reduced, transition to work-from-home) of family caregivers. We found that COVID-19 disrupted over half of family caregiving arrangements, and that care disruptions were associated with increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness among caregivers, compared with both noncaregivers and caregivers who did not experience disruptions. Family caregivers who experienced pandemic-related employment disruptions were providing more care than caregivers who did not experience disruptions. These findings highlight the impact of the pandemic on an essential and vulnerable health care workforce.

scholarly journals WORK-RELATED OPPORTUNITY COSTS OF PROVIDING UNPAID FAMILY CARE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S135-S135
Author(s):  
Stipica Mudrazija
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Family Care ◽  
National Study ◽  
Nursing Facilities ◽  
Unpaid Care ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older Americans living in the community who need help with basic activities of daily living overwhelmingly rely on unpaid care provided most commonly by working-age family members. Because unpaid family care limits the demand for nursing facilities and reduces expenses paid by Medicaid and other government programs, previous estimates of its economic value have mostly focused on estimating the benefits of unpaid family care. However, to assess accurately the overall economic value of unpaid family care and define better the scope for policy intervention, it is also important to account for the costs of such care, yet our knowledge of their magnitude remains limited. This study assesses the impact of unpaid family caregiving on the likelihood of working and hours worked for caregivers, and calculates the related cost of forgone earnings today and in 2050. To do so, it matches family caregivers from the National Study of Caregiving with non-caregivers from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, and uses projections from the Urban Institute’s DYNASIM microsimulation model to inform calculations of future costs of foregone earnings. Results suggest that the cost of foregone earnings attributable to caregiving is currently about $67 billion. By mid-century, it will likely more than double, outpacing the growth of disabled older population as the share of better-educated caregivers with higher earning capacity increases. Policymakers can use these results to inform their current and future policy efforts aimed at assisting family caregivers who are facing the challenge of balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.

scholarly journals Caregiving in the U.S. 2020: What Does the Latest Edition of This Survey Tell Us About Their Contributions and Needs?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 681-681
Author(s):  
Gabriela Prudencio ◽  
Heather Young
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Basic Unit ◽  
Trend Data ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Services And Supports ◽  
The Individual ◽  
National Profile ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Family and friends comprise the most basic unit of any society. For individuals who take on the responsibility of caring for another person through sickness or disability, it can often be challenging to see beyond the individual experience. Yet in the aggregate, family caregivers—whether they be families of kin or families of choice—are woven into the fabric of America’s health, social, economic, and long-term services and supports (LTSS) systems. As the country continues to age, the need to support caregivers as the cornerstone of society will only become more important. A national profile of family caregivers first emerged from the 1997 Caregiving in the U.S. study. Related studies were conducted in 2004, 2009, and 2015 by the NAC in collaboration with AARP. Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 presents a portrait of unpaid family caregivers today. A nationally representative survey (n=1,499), it replicates the methodology used in 2015. Therefore, during this symposium, AARP and NAC will present trend data from 2015 in comparison to 2020, and explore key subgroup differences. The presentation will cover prevalence, demographic characteristics, intensity and duration of care, the well-being of caregivers, the financial impact of family caregiving on caregivers themselves, and the degree to which technology supports caregivers today.

scholarly journals The Impact of Major Events on the Lives of Family Caregivers of Children with Disabilities

1996 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 502-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. McDonald ◽  
Graciela Couchonnal ◽  
Theresa Early
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
School Activities ◽  
Children's Behavior ◽  
The Family ◽  
Families With Children ◽  
The Impact

The authors examine the family caregiving experience among families with children with severe emotional disabilities from a perspective that recognizes the importance of the family's views and feelings. This viewpoint anticipates the occurrence of both positive and negative experiences and seeks to illuminate the caregiving process from the perspective of outcomes achieved. Family caregivers of 164 children with serious emotional disorders were asked to identify major pleasant and stressful events that had occurred in the past 12 months. The most frequently described pleasant events related to children's behavior, school activities, and interactions with professionals and friends. Frequently described problem areas included children's behavior, professionals/services, and difficulty with school. The impact of these pleasant and stressful events was examined with respect to caregivers' perceived well-being: (1) overall stress, (2) the ability to fulfill responsibilities, and (3) pleasure experienced in various life domains. Implications of the study findings for supporting family caregivers in their roles are discussed.

scholarly journals HARNESSING THE POWER OF NETWORKS: PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S539-S539
Author(s):  
Heather Young
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract This paper will address social and professional networks that support family caregivers who are providing care to older adults. Family caregiving is commonly a long-term commitment that can include functional, health care, social, financial and emotional support. This role can have a major impact on the health, well-being and economic security of the family caregiver, particularly for those who are socially isolated. This paper will highlight the nature of caregiving demands on individuals and families, particularly those providing intense and complex care, with a focus on cultural diversity. Health care professionals encounter family caregivers during routine care and at times of crisis and have an opportunity to enhance support and preparation. This paper will discuss effective community-level and health system partnerships and strategies that promote health and well-being for family caregivers, examine the potential for scaling these approaches, and suggest priorities for education, practice and future research.

scholarly journals Family Caregivers of Veterans Experience High Burden, Mental Health Distress, and Financial Strain

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 710-710
Author(s):  
Megan Shepherd-Banigan ◽  
Sophia Sherman ◽  
Jennifer Lindquist ◽  
Katherine Miller ◽  
Matthew Tucker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Caregiver Health ◽  
Health Distress ◽  
Services And Supports

Abstract We describe the caregiving experiences and needs of family caregivers of older Veterans enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We conducted telephone surveys with 1,509 caregivers to assess caregiver health and well-being. Caregivers were primarily female, <50 years old, white, and the Veterans’ spouse. Veterans had substantial functional limitations and required care for multiple conditions, commonly, mental illness, dementia, and heart disease. On average, caregivers provided care for 9.6 hours per day and 6.7 days per week. Burden and depressive symptoms were above clinical thresholds with average scores of 21.8 (Zarit burden) and 11.5 (CES-D 10). Levels of perceived loneliness and financial strain were high. As this population needs emotional support, respite care services, social engagement, and training to care for aging Veterans, the expansion of enhanced caregiver services and supports to this population (expected in 2020) through the VA Mission Act of 2018 will be beneficial.

Family care giving for patients at life's end: Report from the Cultural Variations Study (CVAS)

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
ETIENNE PHIPPS ◽  
LEONARD E. BRAITMAN ◽  
GALA TRUE ◽  
DIANA HARRIS ◽  
WILLIAM TESTER
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
African American ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
White Family ◽  
Care Giving

Objective: To investigate differences between African American and White family caregivers in self-reported health, use of social support and external resources, and emotional and financial strain in the context of their care of a family member with advanced cancer.Methods: Sixty-nine patient-designated family caregivers of patients with advanced lung or colon cancer interviewed between December 1999 and July 2001.Results: Most African American and White family caregivers were able to identify someone else who was helping them in the care of their family member. Few caregivers used outside resources (e.g., home-based medical care, meal delivery, pastoral care, outside social support visitor) to assist in the support and care of the patient. At baseline, White caregivers were more likely to agree that caregiving caused work adjustments (ρ = .28, p = .02) and emotional difficulties (ρ = .32, p = .008) and that caregiving had been completely overwhelming (ρ = .19, p = .12) than were African American caregivers. At follow-up, among family caregivers of patients who had died, 44% reported having to quit work to provide personal care for the patient. Twenty-five percent of family caregivers reported using most or all of the family's saving in caring for the patient.Significance of results: Caregivers of patients at end of life experience substantial emotional and financial difficulties related to caregiving. Family caregiving is a private undertaking with little use of outside resources to mitigate the burden.

scholarly journals The Care Ecosystem: Promoting self-efficacy among dementia family caregivers

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1955-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J Merrilees ◽  
Alissa Bernstein ◽  
Sarah Dulaney ◽  
Julia Heunis ◽  
Reilly Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Caregiver Health ◽  
Information Linkages ◽  
Health And Well Being

Objectives To illustrate specific psychosocial interventions aimed at improving self-efficacy among family caregivers enrolled in the Care Ecosystem, a model of navigated care designed to support persons with dementia and their primary caregivers. Enrolled family caregivers work with unlicensed care team navigators who are trained in dementia care and provide information, linkages to community resources, and emotional support by phone and email. Method We conducted focus groups and interviews with the care team navigators to identify the approaches they used to target caregiver self-efficacy. We assessed mean self-efficacy scores in a sample of 780 family caregivers and selected three exemplary cases in which the caregivers had low self-efficacy scores at baseline with significantly higher scores after six months of participation in the Care Ecosystem intervention. Results Multiple psychosocial strategies were utilized by care team navigators working with patients with dementia and their family caregivers. Using thematic coding we identified three categories of Care Team Navigator intervention: emotional, informational, and instrumental support. These are consistent with a psychosocial approach to building self-efficacy. Discussion Self-efficacy represents a family caregiver’s knowledge and preparedness in managing the challenges of care. Psychosocial support shows benefit in improving caregiver self-efficacy that in turn, may positively influence caregiver health and well-being. The findings in this manuscript demonstrate how a model of navigated care can positively impact self-efficacy among dementia family caregivers.

Maternal Obesity and Breastfeeding A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Practice

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Hesch Anstey ◽  
Cecilia Jevitt
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Breastfeeding Initiation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Maternal Bmi ◽  
The U.S

A myriad of factors influence the sub-optimal breastfeeding rates in the U.S. Among these factors is maternal obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2), which has been found to negatively impact breastfeeding initiation and duration for some women. Obesity increases women’s risk for various complications throughout the perinatal period, which may impact breastfeeding and the long-term health and well-being of women and their children. However, adequate lactation support that upholds a respectful consciousness regarding the potential breastfeeding challenges of women with obesity can assist these women to successfully meet their breastfeeding goals. This review summarizes the literature on the impact of maternal BMI on breastfeeding duration, and maternal and infant risk factors that may complicate lactation for women with obesity. Recommendations for assessing and supporting the needs of mothers with obesity to best achieve their breastfeeding goals are provided.

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