Caregiving Impact on Caregivers and Employers

Stuart Shwiff, Corporate & Foundation Officer

+1 651.789.6410 sshwiff@caringbridge.org

Magnitude of Caregiving

Today & Tomorrow

According to AARP, about 42.1 million family caregivers in the United States provided

care to an adult with limitations in daily activities at any given point in time in 2009,

and about 61.6 million provided care at some time during the year1.

Unpaid family caregivers will likely continue to be the largest source of long-term care

services in the U.S.8

The aging population 65+ will more than double between the years 2000-2030,

increasing to 71.5 million from 35.1 million in 2000.8

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Emotional and Physical costs of

Caregiving

• Employees who also serve as a caregiver at home report poorer health and more chronic disease

than non-caregivers6.

• Caregivers most unmet needs are finding time for themselves (35%), managing emotional and

physical stress (29%), and balancing work and family responsibilities (29%).1

• 20-50% of caregivers report having depressive disorders or symptoms.1

• Many caregivers of family members experience a higher level of hostility and a greater decline

in happiness.1

• 25% of women caregivers have health problems as a result of their caregiving activities.1

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Cost of caregiving

Total annual cost of lost productivity

to the U.S. economy2

$25.2 billion

Total estimated lost work days per year among full-time employed

caregivers2

126,222,624 days

Number of lost work days per year among full-time employed

caregivers2

6.6 days (30%)

1-5 days (36%)

0 days (34%)

Estimated total number of U.S. adults employed full-time who are

caregivers2

19,124,640 people

Percentage of U.S. adults employed full time who are caregivers2 17%

Increase in healthcare costs between caregiving and

non-caregiving employees6: (Extra $13.4 billion per year healthcare cost to U.S. employers)

8%

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MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to Working

Caregivers:

The proportion of adult children providing personal care and/or financial assistance to a parent has more than tripled over the past 15 years.

Currently, a quarter of adult children, mainly Baby Boomers, provide these types of care to a parent.

Working and non-working adult children are almost equally as likely to provide care to parents in need.

Overall, caregiving sons and daughters provide comparable care in many respects, but daughters are more likely to provide basic care and sons are more likely to provide financial assistance.

The total estimated aggregate lost wages, pension, and Social Security benefits of these caregivers of parents is nearly $3 trillion.

MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to Working

Caregivers:

For women the total individual amount of lost wages due to leaving the labor force early and/or

reduced hours of work because of caregiving responsibilities equals $142,693.

The estimated impact of caregiving on lost Social Security benefits is $131,351.

A very conservative estimated impact on pensions is approximately $50,000.

Thus, in total, the cost impact of caregiving on the individual female caregiver in terms of lost wages

and Social Security benefits equals $324,044

How we can help

SupportPlanner is a free online calendar that helps family

and friends coordinate care and tasks by:

• Alleviating caregivers’ stress

• Giving hours back to caregivers and their families

• Providing physical and emotional support

• Managing time and tasks

supportplanner.caringbridge.org

SupportPlanner

How we can help

SupportPlanner example tasks:

• Serve as a patient advocate

• Offer breaks for caregivers

• Make meals

• Provide transportation

• Care for children or pets

• Do household chores or lawn care

• Run errands

supportplanner.caringbridge.org

SupportPlanner

“Great site. It’s put together

well and is very easy to use.”

-Mike B.

Example community in motion

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Thank You!

• SupportPlanner: a free online calendar that helps family and friends

coordinate care and organize helpful tasks.

• Sites: a personal, protected online space where you can post health

updates and keep friends and family informed.

• Amplifier Hub: our new online volunteer community.

• CaringBridge brochures and materials.

• Contact: Stuart Shwiff, Corporate and Foundation Officer,

sshwiff@caringbridge.org or 612.414.1000 or 651.452.7940 (main)

More information about CaringBridge’s services:

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Sources

1. AARP: Valuing the Invaluable:

2011 Update The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving

2. Gallup Wellbeing: Caregiving Costs U.S. Economy $25.2 Billion in Lost Productivity

3. National Family Caregivers Association

4. National Alliance for Caregiving

5. AARP Foundation: Prepare to Care A Planning Guide for Families

6. MetLife Study of Working Caregivers, and Employer Healthcare costs.

7. MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to Working Caregivers.

8. Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving:

Selected Caregiver Statistics