“It’s not just hard. It’s overwhelming.”
One in every four adults living in Ohio provides care to a spouse, family member or neighbor. It’s estimated the value of the unpaid care exceeds $2.1 billion annually according to new research from Ohio’s American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) .
“Without the proper support, caregiving could lead to significant burnout, financial strain, and quite honestly, difficult care decisions because of the complexity, especially around caregivers being in the workforce today,” commented AARP Ohio Executive Director Jenny Carlson.
AARP commissioned the survey of 1200 registered voters to raise awareness. “This is an important election year and we’re also promoting and advocating a number of public policy issues”.
Carlson points to enormous pressures felt by caregivers in Northwest Ohio. “Many are draining savings and going into debt and making impossible choices between their jobs and their loved ones or paying bills versus providing care.” Caregivers often suffer meeting the demands. “There’s the emotional reality that caregivers are saying that they’re extraordinarily stressed, burnt out, losing sleep and they’re skipping their own health care. They’re trying to take care of everyone else while no one is taking care of them.”
AARP has resources available to help. “Caregivers, for example, can call a toll-free number to speak with a live consultant, access practical tools, and participate in local programming.” Membership in AARP is not required.
AARP is advocating proposals in Ohio’s legislature based on the research results. “An overwhelming majority support solutions like the caregiver tax credit that we’re fighting for down at the State House and in Congress and workplace protections and expanded home health care options.”
She cautioned, “don’t feel like you’re on a deserted island all by yourself.”
For more information; AARP.org.
