Idaho’s Family Caregivers Need Support
Family Caregivers—Holding Up a Broken Long-Term Care System
AARP is fighting to save time and money for more than 48 million family caregivers across America. Their efforts are what allow their older parents, spouses, or other loved ones to live independently instead of being forced into nursing homes. These dedicated family caregivers provide $600 billion worth of unpaid labor each year—managing medications, preparing meals, helping with bathing, feeding & dressing, providing transportation to medical appointments, and handling financial & legal matters.
And most of the people doing all that unpaid work are also trying to juggle paying jobs too. Many are forced to reduce their hours or quit entirely. The physical, emotional & financial toll of family caregiving is enormous.
Idaho Unpaid Family Caregiving Labor Force Facts
- 210,000 Caregivers
- 193 Million Care Hours/Year
- $3 Billion - Unpaid Labor/Year
- Over $7,200 - Average Out-of-Pocket Caregiving Costs/Year in the U.S.
I Am A Caregiver
“My wife, Bette, is 83 and has a rare disease that has left her immobile. I care for her at home with some paid help. It costs $48,000 a year. I don’t know if I have enough savings to keep going. I wish there was some support to help pay for her care.”
William from Idaho
