A major, new report released by AARP today reveals that the economic contribution of caregivers is on the rise.

With about 40 million family caregivers in the United States who provided 37 billion hours of unpaid care to adult relatives and friends who need it, the economic value of their unpaid contributions rose to $470 billion in 2013 from $450 billion in 2009. 

“Florida is home to nearly 2.7 million of these caregivers, who in 2013, provided 2.5 billion of unpaid hours tending to the needs of their relatives who have limitations with their daily activities,” U.S. Rep. Castor said, citing the AARP report. That’s equivalent to almost 1,000 hours that each caregiver provided in 2013 worth a total of nearly $30 billion.

“There is increasing need to come together to better understand the needs of our caregivers across America. I am proud to introduce today, along with U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), the bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to create a much-needed National Family Caregiving Strategy with recommendations by experts related to support services, training, workplace policies and others to better support caregivers,” U.S. Rep. Castor added. “I look forward to working closely with AARP on this legislation as we have done in the past to improve the lives of our seniors and their families." 

U.S. Rep. Harper said:  “The importance of family caregivers can’t be overstated. In many cases, family caregivers help with activities such as eating, bathing, transportation, managing finances, and paying for services to help their loved ones. This bipartisan legislation demonstrates that family caregivers are the most important source of support for many people with chronic conditions, disabilities, or functional limitations.”

AARP Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy A. LeaMond said:  “AARP appreciates the bipartisan leadership demonstrated by Senators Collins and Baldwin, and Representatives Harper and Castor. Caregiving is an issue that will affect almost everyone. Our country should recognize and support the contributions that roughly 40 million family caregivers make every day and we urge Congress to act on this bill this year.”

The majority of family caregivers (60 percent) are working part-time or full-time jobs, but research suggests that family caregiving may reduce the likelihood of working. The recommendations coming from the advisory council created as part of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act will promote modern policies to help caregivers stay in the workforce or minimize the financial strain caregivers experience when they must leave the workforce. For instance, flexible work options and access to paid family leave are cited in today’s report as ways to improve workplace policies for caregivers.

 

In addition, the national family caregiving strategy, led by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, will bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, experts and caregivers to serve on an advisory council to share knowledge and develop recommendations to better support caregivers, such as greater adoption of patient and family-centered care in health and long-term services supports settings (LTSS). 

“We must give family caregivers the tools they need to ensure they are able to keep bringing home a good paycheck, can take leave when they need to, and ensure that their loved one receives the care he or she needs. We have made much progress in recent years in elevating the role of caregivers, but as the complexity and intensity of family caregiving increases, a nationwide blueprint will help boost families and be smart and efficient with our resources,” U.S. Rep. Castor added.

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