Caring for an aging family member is a labor of love, but many studies show the emotional, physical, and financial strain that caregivers often face. Support and caregiver assistance are essential both to help caregivers perform their roles effectively and to protect their own health.
Research from MetLife found that roughly 10 million adult children over age 50—about one-quarter of Baby Boomers—are providing care for aging parents. These responsibilities range from running errands and preparing meals to helping with bathing and toileting. That burden can be especially heavy for caregivers who are also balancing careers and children. Indeed, caregivers over 50 who work and care for a parent report worse health more often than peers who are not providing elder care.
Key findings from the study include:
- Adult daughters are more likely to provide hands-on daily care, while sons are more likely to provide financial support.
- The estimated aggregate loss in wages, pensions, and Social Security for these adult-child caregivers approaches $3 trillion.
- On average, women who left the workforce or reduced hours because of caregiving lost about $324,044 in combined income, pension, and Social Security benefits. Men’s average losses were about $283,716.
Despite these sacrifices, the trend of adult children providing care is growing rapidly. The MetLife study shows the number of adult children offering personal care or financial help to aging parents has more than tripled in the past 15 years.
Caregiver Stress and Assistance
With caregiving likely to remain common, what can caregivers do to reduce stress and protect their wellbeing? Below are practical recommendations that can make a meaningful difference.
Prioritize your health
You cannot care well for someone else if you neglect your own health. Important steps include:
- Get enough sleep and reduce caffeine where possible.
- Choose nutritious foods—either by preparing meals at home or using reliable meal-delivery options.
- Exercise regularly, even if that means two 15-minute walks a day.
- Keep up with regular medical and dental care to catch issues early.
- Schedule breaks from caregiving and allow yourself guilt-free time off; rest prevents burnout.
Get organized
Time is limited, and caregiving can consume much of it. Adopt an organization system that fits your family: a shared calendar for appointments, a prioritized list of commitments with nonessential activities dropped, or a to-do list app. A clear system reduces friction and helps the whole family coordinate care more smoothly.
Talk about it
Caregiving can produce intense anxiety and strong emotions similar to those triggered by major life events. Speaking with a licensed therapist can be a relief and help you manage stress, anger, or grief. Support groups can also connect you with others facing the same challenges and offer emotional support and practical advice.
Consider your options
If caregiving becomes overwhelming, it helps to know the range of assistance available. Options include:
- Assistive technologies: Devices and apps can remind seniors to take medications, enlarge text on screens, monitor activity like door openings, and provide emergency alerts—offering families peace of mind when they cannot be present.
- Home-health aides: Trained aides can come to the home for a few hours or longer to assist with medical and daily living tasks.
- Adult day care: Similar to child daycare, adult day programs supervise participants for several hours and often include activities such as music, art, and exercise. Some long-term care policies may cover these costs.
- Assisted living and respite care: Assisted living communities help with meals, housekeeping, and personal care. Many also offer short-term stays (respite care) for caregivers who need temporary relief; long-term care insurance may help cover expenses.
Local resources and community programs can help you locate adult care options and navigational tools for long-term care planning. Exploring these resources can reveal services that fit both your loved one’s needs and your family’s budget.
Put on your oxygen mask first
As on an airplane, you must secure your own oxygen mask before helping others. Caregiving can create significant stress, but taking care of yourself is essential. Learning about the caregiver assistance options available to you and your family can improve quality of life for both you and the person you care for, and it can help sustain caregiving over the long term.