Advocacy
Society support is the other half of family caregiving. Many caregivers do not see themselves as caregivers. Self-identification is the foundation for change in society. We should identify family caregivers, first.
Beside every elder will stand a caregiver. It's a growing role in the 21st century. Already 34.2 million of us identify as caregivers and 65% of us are women. Our average age is 69.4 years. 28% of us have children at home and 50% of us still work. Currently, 5.8 million people have Alzheimer's, which will become 14 million in 2050!
We can't wait, we're already here! It's time to create policies to support caregiving. We need workplace policies that do not force caregivers to choose between work and care. These unpaid caregivers provide their services at a personal cost of $500 million. If all of them were paid; it would cost tax payers $642 billion! it's less expensive to support caregivers.
Do we have any national, state or local structure? Not yet.
We need a national insurance for caregivers forced to quit or take part-time work (not eligible for employers' health insurance). We need public education on the role and value of family caregivers. We need mandated screening on the effects of Cortisol in caregivers because it can lead to diabetes and heart problems. The CDC must track this information alongside causes of death/disease. We need to develop a role for elders even though research shows that engagement and purpose have a positive effect on senior health/vitality. Senior Sidekicks' goal is to create a national, integrated, Caregiver Support System. We offer a free program on the topic and what you can do. Contact Senior Sidekicks to bring the program to you.
Beside every elder will stand a caregiver. It's a growing role in the 21st century. Already 34.2 million of us identify as caregivers and 65% of us are women. Our average age is 69.4 years. 28% of us have children at home and 50% of us still work. Currently, 5.8 million people have Alzheimer's, which will become 14 million in 2050!
We can't wait, we're already here! It's time to create policies to support caregiving. We need workplace policies that do not force caregivers to choose between work and care. These unpaid caregivers provide their services at a personal cost of $500 million. If all of them were paid; it would cost tax payers $642 billion! it's less expensive to support caregivers.
Do we have any national, state or local structure? Not yet.
We need a national insurance for caregivers forced to quit or take part-time work (not eligible for employers' health insurance). We need public education on the role and value of family caregivers. We need mandated screening on the effects of Cortisol in caregivers because it can lead to diabetes and heart problems. The CDC must track this information alongside causes of death/disease. We need to develop a role for elders even though research shows that engagement and purpose have a positive effect on senior health/vitality. Senior Sidekicks' goal is to create a national, integrated, Caregiver Support System. We offer a free program on the topic and what you can do. Contact Senior Sidekicks to bring the program to you.