If you are navigating any part of Eldercare, whether for a loved one, or yourself, likely you realize that it is daunting and confusing. Resources are disparate and difficult to find. Families are often in conflict, and torn between one another, and at each crossroads they are often unable to prepare for making major decisions when the time arrives.
Since we were founded in 2009, Answers for Elders mission has always been to be that North Star that families turn to when navigating senior care, and the Bridge that prepares them for their aging years ahead. Throughout our history, we believe that education helps to empower families. It reduces the stress of living in the unknown about what lies ahead.
So, what does lie ahead in caregiving? How is the world changing when it comes to caring for seniors, and how can you keep up with the rapidly advancing ways in which our world is moving? Here are the facts:
Today in the USA:
- Approximately 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S.]
- About 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S.]
- The majority of caregivers (82%) care for one other adult, while 15% care for 2 adults, and 3% for 3 or more adults. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S.]
- Approximately 39.8 million caregivers provide care to adults (aged 18+) with a disability or illness or 16.6% of Americans. [Coughlin, J. (2010). Estimating the Impact of Caregiving and Employment on Well-Being: Outcomes & Insights in Health Management.]
- About 15.7 million adult family caregivers care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. [Alzheimer’s Association. (2015). 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.]
- According to multiple sources, Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care. Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers spends 41 hours or more per week providing care. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.)
Meeting the need:
- Over the next seven years, the podcast market is expecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.5% from 2020 to 2027. The easy accessibility of podcasts during transit times, caregiving and multitasking such as running errands, commuting, walking, gardening, exercising, or cleaning, drives the market growth.an expected 29% compounded growth.
- The need for resources in the caregiver demographic will increase in the next decade. A new generation will be seeking resources for their parents. As Boomers are aging, we have also witnessed a shift in seeking out a plan for their own aging years, or the care of a spouse.
- Family caregivers also experience a higher percentage of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, addictions, and depression than the national average for their age group.
- Family caregivers tend to not take care of themselves as they should. They are often overwhelmed by the enormity of their responsibilities. Their stressed-out schedule is compounding at every turn, often being faced with having to make life changing decisions on behalf of their loved one without feeling like they know all the facts to make the right choices.
We’re in your back pocket, when you need us
The world is shifting to on-demand content, and Answers for Elders are one of the largest professional eldercare podcast content providers (if not the largest) in the USA with a library currently of 650+ and growing each week on our website, or on the major podcast platforms on your phone that people listen to most. We are easy to find while you’re on the run. Just type in keywords, or any information and resources you need, when you need it.
