The Invisibles: Unpaid Caregivers of the Elderly

Abstract

The population of elderly individuals con- tinues to increase and is expected to dou- ble by 2050 (1). Medical and technological improvements and developments, which extend the longevity of those with signif- icant ailments and the push for shorter hospital stays, will result in the provision ofmore nursing and medical care at home. A recent report by the Alzheimer’s Associ- ation indicates that over 15 million fam- ily members are caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia (2). In 2009, more than 60 million family care- givers were providing “unpaid” care at an estimated cost of $450 billion, and the impact of care giving on the labor force will increase (3, 4). Unpaid caregivers pro- vide the majority of long-term care for older adults. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, ranging from household chores to personal care and complex med- ical regimens. Care giving can result in high levels of stress, depression, and other phys- ical and emotional manifestations known as “caregiver stress syndrome.” Caregivers need information and training in who to manage these tasks, aswell as access to inex- pensive community resources, and recog- nition that the care they provide is vital and valued. Yet, unpaid caregivers are an invis- ible population. The lack of strategic pol- icy and for their support only contributes to their frustration, confusion, misman- agement, and disappointment. Therefore, a regulated system with structured pro- cedures that can identify concerns, needs, gaps, barriers, and opportunities must be established.