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Could there be hope for caregivers?

11/14/2014

6 Comments

 
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We're going to run out of caregivers. People like me, you and your neighbor. No, not tomorrow or by the end of the week - but soon. Too soon. In 2010, there were seven people (or potential care givers) for every person over 80. By 2030, there will be four people for every person over 80 and by 2050 there will be fewer than three. These numbers are from a recent AARP report, that looked at the number of "aging-in-place" caregivers in the United States. (Aging-in-place means that an aging individual remains at home as opposed to being moved into a common care facility.) Care for those aging-in-place is generally provided by children, who themselves are aging quickly. 

Baby Boomers are particularly effected. Boomer women had fewer children than the generations before them and some have opted out of having children at all. The Senate Aging Committee is looking at a novel solution to the looming problem. Senator Bob Casey is drafting a plan to form a National Caregiver Corps. 

This is from the Committee: 
"Volunteers who participate in the program would receive specific guidelines and structure from the Department of Health and Human Services in order to provide assistance to families by "cleaning, preparing food or even shopping for people who want to remain at home" as they age, as well as respite care for existing family caregivers. The proposal also includes providing volunteers with a stipend, tuition credit or even academic credits."

What do you think? Is a Caregiver Corps a good idea? Leave a comment below and let me know your opinion. As always, I will share them with our elected officials.

For a complete downloadable PDF copy of the AARP report, click here.

Take Care and Stay Healthy!
Debbie Carroll
Founder, The Senior Sage

6 Comments
Janet Snyder
11/15/2014 08:48:44 am

Most people would not volunteer to be caregivers, unless they are family members. Because of the aging population, there are businesses that provide CNAs to care for disabled people, so their family members can get a break. They insure that the CNAs are licensed and capable of providing care.

Reply
The Senior Sage link
11/16/2014 03:11:29 pm

Janet, thank you for your opinion.

I hear what you're saying about Senator Casey's plan to engage unlicensed volunteers. Perhaps written in to the bill would be training for the Caregiver Corps?

Reply
Janet Snyder
11/16/2014 09:52:48 pm

The question still remains: Will people want to volunteer for training in a Caregiver Corps, when they can get trained and licensed to do this work for a salary ?

Reply
The Senior Sage link
11/16/2014 11:27:02 pm

What about the many people who cannot afford the $15-20 an hour charge that licensed caregivers charge?

Yes, I do think that some people will want to volunteer because of the stipend, tuition/academic credit training component of the bill.

The bill could potentially be a win/win for people who have no family or friends to help them and for people who have limited funds and prospects for education.

Reply
Janet Snyder
11/17/2014 12:59:32 am

You are more optimistic than I am, about the willingness of people to volunteer for just a stipend and/or tuition/academic credit. Back in 2010 I paid $22.00 an hour for a CNA to stay with my husband, with a 3-hour minimum each day and a minimum of 3 times a week. There are community organizations that give grants to caregivers to give them respite care. I received a $1,000 grant to take my husband to an adult day care. He only went twice, and hated it, and refused to go back. I returned the grant to the organization that gave it to me, to use for another person. There is no "right" or "best way" for everyone. We're all individuals.

Reply
Bert Simonis
11/17/2014 02:21:42 am

Janet, of course people will volunteer. If they didn't the Peace Corps would not be operational, Senior Corps would cease to exist. Most churches, museums, festivals, and other non-profits could not exist without their volunteers - and most organizations do not provide anything as far as a stipend, or the promise of a college education. You've shown you have a heart by giving back the grant - now come on out and volunteer at your local senior center!

Reply



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    Debbie Carroll is the Founder of The Senior Sage and knows first hand what it's like to be a caregiver.


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