When it comes to family caregivers, adult daughters are the most commonly used family members that act as the main caregiver. It’s hard to get an accurate idea of how many women and men act as family caregivers, but some estimates say that as many as 75 percent of caregivers are women. Again, it’s hard to know how accurate these estimates are because much of this data is hard to uncover, but the fact is, far more than 50 percent of family members caring for another are female.
This statistic is even more disturbing when you consider the fact that by 2030, the number of seniors over the age of 65 is expected to grow to one out of every five people in the United States. Experts believe that the number of senior citizens will grow from 5.5 million now, to 8.5 million by 2030. If this is true, the amount of stress placed on family members is going to skyrocket. Add in health issues that have become more pressing, like Alzheimer’s disease, and the issue becomes even more severe.
So, while our country is debating whether the Affordable Care Act should stay or go, most families that have an older loved one getting help, the main type of health care is already decided. It’s the women of the family that take the lead. This doesn’t mean that men cannot or should not give care to a loved one, but because of they values and dynamics within our society, this is what has occurred. It’s important to recognize that this happens so that we can take steps to help those in need more effectively.
For example, caregiver burnout is a very real phenomenon. And because adult daughters are more often than not the main caregiver within the family, these are the people that are most susceptible to suffering from burnout. These family heroes need our support, whether it be a few hours of respite care being provided here and there, or a few home cooked meals delivered, or maybe even a quick note of appreciation. Being a caregiver is hard work, and the long hours that family caregivers put in is unpaid and often unrewarded.
If you are acting as a family caregiver to an elderly family member, remember that there is help out there if you need or want it. Plenty of in-home care services exist that can help. You do not need to hire a fulltime caregiver if this won’t be helpful to your family’s situation, but having a trusted and reputable respite caregiver that you can use when needed is always a good safety net to give yourself. If you have questions about respite care, be sure to get in touch with Paradise In-Home Care today to schedule a free consultation. If we can be of service to you, we will let you know.
Not all caregivers are created equal, but family members act with love. Sometimes love isn’t enough, especially when you are exhausted. A professional care service can help fill the gaps while you recover so you can be a better caregiver later on.
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