Who cares for the caregivers? How 25% of the population falls through the cracks
Whether caring for an elderly parent, a sick partner, or a child in crisis, our caregivers are at a breaking point.
For numerous reasons, finding adequate daycare for children and services for seniors has become a daunting challenge in recent years. As a result, the caregivers asked to pick up the slack must shoulder more of the burden. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of caregivers in America has skyrocketed. According to the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, one in four people in America today is a caregiver.
Related: The caregiver crisis: How employers can support workers in this new reality
Whether caring for an elderly parent, a sick partner, or a child in crisis, these caregivers – predominantly women – are at their breaking point. McKinsey reports that caregivers are 12 times more likely to experience adverse mental health symptoms. The problem is magnified due to the tendency of caregivers to prioritize someone else’s health over their own. A Wellframe study found that this exists for nearly 80% of the caregivers surveyed.
So, how did we get here and where do we go from here?
The perfect storm
COVID-19 pandemic
The pandemic took a significant toll on the health and well-being of caregivers. With an unprecedented shutdown of the traditional health care system, those who care for the elderly or chronically ill were the ones who ensured virtual visits were in place and that medication plans and other needs were addressed. Those caring for younger children had to quickly adapt to remote learning when schools were forced to close. These separate — and in certain cases combined scenarios — placed enormous amounts of stress on the caregiver, often mentally and physically.
The American Psychological Association found that that 61% of individuals reported weight changes; 67% reported disturbed sleep patterns; and 47% of respondents delayed or canceled health services. The hardships this imposed on everyone, including caregivers, frequently led many to place their own needs near the bottom of their priorities.
Day-to-day challenges
The workload involved and its drudgery also contributed to caregiver burnout. Caregivers not only have to look after themselves and their loved ones but constantly must search for reliable & relevant information that can help their ailing family members. Of the respondents in the Wellframe study, 78% noted searching for “one source of truth” for all healthcare information. Without this, it’s difficult and time-consuming to discern which information is accurate and whether the resources or services found are actually available.
An overlooked population
Caregiver facilities for both older adults and young children are often understaffed, underfunded and struggling to stay afloat. Due to a dearth of quality and accessible support and resources, female caregivers are frequently forced to downsize their professional aspirations and leave their jobs, with an estimated wage loss of more than $100,000 a year. There needs to be a recognition of the critical linchpin role caregivers play, and the many dependencies and downstream implications that rest on the backs of these individuals.
What can be done
Health plans and employers have an opportunity to provide support not just for members and patients, but also for the caregivers supporting them. When the pandemic hit, Medicaid programs were leveraged to support caregivers. Employers often expanded their leave and financial reimbursement policies, and health insurance plans donated necessary PPE items and funds to assist caregivers. Imagine if this type of awareness and support was provided consistently, and not just during a worldwide crisis?
Beyond time off and financial support, health plans can make it easier for caregivers to care for themselves. This could include being able to seamlessly find and access health care services or receive reminders for basic preventative care and check-ups. Providing easier access and more preventative care checks can translate to fewer crises and help bolster a population of healthier and more resilient caregivers.
In addition, access to mental health care and support networks are important to help combat isolation. Health plans and employers can provide additional resources to alleviate stresses that caregivers may feel from being “on-call” 24/7. It can also re-emphasize the rewards of caring for a loved one. These mental health resources can better equip caregivers with the tools they need to effectively manage stress and overcome other challenges they may face.
Moving forward
If we can alleviate the very real and prevalent caregiver burden, borne disproportionately by women, this can have a huge impact on their levels of burnout, productivity, happiness, and their ability to contribute to society in a meaningful way. And we can improve health outcomes for both caregivers and those that they are caring for.
This situation is close to my heart. I’m at a stage of life where in addition to being a mother, both my parents and in-laws are in need of support and care. It can certainly feel overwhelming at times, but it’s extremely important and I would not have it any other way. Support in the form of accessible & relevant resources, reliable information, along with innovative health care tools can make a difference and move us that much closer to a solution.
Dr. Sandhya Gardner is the Chief Medical Officer at Wellframe. Sandhya previously practiced as an OB/GYN for over a decade and has extensive experience providing clinical leadership at health care education and technology companies. Wellframe, a HealthEdge company, strategically partners with health plans nationwide to reimagine the relationship between plans and members. Our digital health management solutions enable a level of care and support that empowers people and organizations to achieve their best.
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