New Studies Find America's Silent Workforce Has a Lot to Say About Their Jobs as Caregivers

Studies show the approximately 40 million U.S. caregivers still find joy in caring for their loved ones, but also are in great need of aid, reports Forbes . "We need to find ways to support caregivers so they can sustain their own health and prioritize their own needs while they care for their loved ones," says HealthCare Services for Senior Care Action Network's (SCAN) Eve Gelb. "Through education about the resources available, we're getting closer." A SCAN poll of 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults found 82 percent of senior caregivers have problems refusing to do the job, while 54 percent feel guilty about taking a break from their tasks to focus on themselves. Moreover, 29 percent spend 40 hours a week or more caring for someone. Nevertheless, about 86 percent of respondents called their responsibility a rewarding experience. "In light of their dedication to their job, we cannot let senior caregivers continue to put their own health and quality of life at risk, as they deserve better and their loved one needs them to be as healthy as possible, too," Gelb says. "It's a double impact — the health of the caregiver and the health of those they are caring for." Gelb's evaluation mirrors the passage of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage Family Caregivers Act, which directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and maintain a national strategy to recognize and support family caregivers. The statute also sets up an advisory group that will convene stakeholders from the private and public sectors to make recommendations that communities, providers, government, and others may follow to assist caregivers.