Advocating for South Dakota's Family Caregivers

November is Family Caregiving Month. Did you know there are 80,000 family caregivers in South Dakota and a majority of them also work while providing care for a loved one?

The economic value of the 74 million hours of unpaid family care in South Dakota is $1.4 billion ($18.12 per hour).

Several elected officials have recognized November as Family Caregivers Month, including South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun, Aberdeen Mayor Travis Schaunaman and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul Ten Haken.

State lawmakers return to Pierre in January, and AARP South Dakota will be advocating for increased resources for the state’s family caregivers.

Four in 10 South Dakota voters age 50 and over have experience as family caregivers, according to an AARP survey. It found that a majority of older voters support paid leave for caregivers and increased funding for respite care.

Join AARP’s advocacy efforts at aarp.org/getinvolved.