AARP: Value of Unpaid Caregivers Worth $450 Billion in 2009

Caregivers are not the only people bearing the costs of caregiving. The report estimates that U.S. businesses lose over $33 billion annually in lost productivity from full-time workers with caregiving responsibilities. The average annual cost to employers for one full-time worker who is a caregiver is $2,110.

Furthermore, caregivers have higher health care costs than their non-caregiving coworkers. Regardless of the age of the caregiver, they were more likely to report fair or poor health than other workers, and were more likely to suffer depression, diabetes, hypertension or pulmonary disease.

The report pointed to several trends that could make caregiving in the future even more difficult. In fiscal year 2010, more than half of states reported an increased demand for home care and community-based care services like home-delivered meals and transportation. However, more than one-third of caregivers have found that budget cuts have made it difficult for government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide the services they need. Also in fiscal year 2010, 31 states cut non-Medicaid service programs, and the report estimates 28 states expect to cut community-based service programs in fiscal year 2011.

“The national economy remains a prolonged concern not only for state and local agencies that administer HCBS, but also for America’s families—those who receive care and those who provide the care,” according to the report.

Compounding the lack of resources, later marriages and fewer children mean adults will have fewer family members to depend on should they need care in their old age. With fewer family members to provide support, paid care facilities could find themselves overwhelmed by the demand for services.

Consumer-directed services, the report found, have emerged as an “important, flexible, and cost-effective model in Medicaid and state-funded HCBS.” Under a consumer-directed model, patients manage a personal care budget that allows them to hire their own caregivers and purchase other necessary goods and services.

“The unpaid contributions of family caregivers to the person being cared for and to society are huge. Yet the health risks and financial hardships that may accompany the caregiving role are substantial and well documented,” according to AARP. “Involving family caregivers in a meaningful and practical way, and supporting their own care needs, should be a key component in all new models of care that aim to integrate primary health care and [long-term service and support systems].”