Is Family Caregiving On Your Doorstep
Have you ever heard of the challenges of family caregiving? Sometimes it’s referred to as elder care or the aging cycle of baby boomers. At LifeWorkx, we are targeting an ancillary caring topic to healthcare. As long-term work and workforce experts in technology corporations, experienced and well studied in caregiving, we have a cutting-edge recipe for success. Mobile work-life-care solutions will build a stronger local caregiving delivery system across our nation. It is a no-brainer.
Let’s start close to home, with you, your family and friends.
Let’s launch this effort with some facts.
Who Are The Baby Boomers?
- The U.S. Census Bureau defines baby boomers as those born from 1946 through 1964. The youngest of the baby boomers, age 54 the oldest of the baby boomers, age 72.
- Our nation’s demographics positioned the inflow of about 77 million baby boomers into the 30-year cycle of care. Currently, the living number is 74 million.
What Is Family Caregiving For Aging Baby Boomers?
- Most important is that 73% of baby boomers expect to be able to stay at home receiving family care.
- Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care. Those who reside with those they provide care for spend 40.5 hours per week caring. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S.]
Me A Caregiver?
Most family members do not see themselves as “caregivers” but as loving family members. Somehow when evaluating the above list of duties, family caregiving looks like the job of a nurse or skilled professional. We think that is true. Since there is no accepted job description, training, certification, insurance coverage or performance management in place, it’s unclear if a newly minted family caregiver is ready to do the fuzzy job! Anointment as the “family caregiver” is typically a surprise. 85% of people who unexpectedly become a caregiver don’t understand what is involved and how it can change their life. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S.]
The work and life productivity losses are high due to absenteeism, workday interruptions, presenteeism, addressing care crises, navigating the disconnected disability maze of agencies and paperwork. Care /stress related medical costs soar by almost 10%, and the out of pocket expenses of family caregivers on average is $5,000. Per year. At least 6 out of 10 employed caregivers made some work-related adjustments as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. That is a reality.
Yet, when some think of elder care, they picture someone sitting in a room reading a book to an individual in their care or trying to cheer the person up, perhaps making an extra sandwich at lunchtime instead of just one and steeping an extra cup of earl grey.
Ways in the Role
This is in many ways how we have been conditioned to see this role. Laid back, low-key, not really “rocket science”, hardly demanding, but our misperception is derived mostly from what we see on television and in movies. Since we’re talking about movies, I’ll call it the “PG version” of caregiving, and I know you’ll completely understand.
So it is established that the true day to day of a caregiver who quite possibly has a 2nd full time paid job would not make for a strong prime-time TV series. Even a reality show would likely be too much for many viewers. Out of sight and out of mind, family caregivers do their “duty” often because no one else will, unrecognized, unskilled, unpaid, unmanaged.
It’s time to inform. The caregiving problem can be understood as an immediate need and a longer-term reconstruction project! Short term, individuals and families need to understand potential roles and create a plan. The plan is not exclusively at your family’s home. The plan is a life plan. It’s a family plan. It is a job continuity plan. All are plans to balance your commitments; maintain your job, health, family and life solvency.
SOME PERSONAL ACTION ITEMS
Be caring sensitive. Begin listening to conversations around you. Are colleagues, friends and more talking about caregiving? Assess your direct situation Are any of your family and friends entering the cycle of care?
IF YES, OR IN THE NEAR FUTURE: Start Exploring The Basics
- What are family and/or friends care needs and expectations? Which roles do you and your families want to assume? What and how would you address the family needs for care and the demands facing you?
- Are the best resources to support those needs?
- What work-life – caregiving resources are the available local, state, federal? Any community or online support groups? Are training classes available? Experienced friends or colleagues to talk with? How do you plan the resources needs? Who are the experts to help with financial, legal and real estate matters?
- What policies and services does your employer provide? How sensitive is your corporate culture to the demands of caregiving?
- How will you address the needs of your job continuity while continuing to fulfil your family needs? What support do you need?
- The care of an ageing baby boomer, person with disabilities or our wounded warriors may be a comforting conversation for all involved. There are ways to approach the subject, so stay tuned for some “best” ways to start the ball rolling.
Plan for your immediate probabilities. Start conversations with your family, your employer and create a sense of urgency. Caregiving challenges are not “coming” they are all around us!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Let your mind wander back to 1951.
What if Baby Boomer education is not into the action. What would have happened on the 1st day of school? Not enough teachers, books, desks, buildings? The kindergarten students would have been sent home for the at-home family education role.
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