The Hidden Costs of Caregiving

January 3, 2011

via Alz. Daily News

(Source: SmartMoney) - Mike Clement and his wife Kaki thought their caregiving

days were coming to an end when their teenage son headed to college. But then

Clement's mother suffered a fall and had to be rescued by the local fire

department. Within weeks they moved the 76-year-old woman into their home. As

her health declined, taking care of her " involved a 24/7 focus from the family,

friends and a hired caregiver, " explained Clement.

The demand for informal caregivers is expected to increase by more than 20% in

the next 15 years - and by 85% in the next 40 years - as baby boomers age.

Nearly 62 million Americans already care for another adult at least part-time.

Caregivers hiring aides can expect to spend an average of 24 hours per week

themselves. And more than half of those who live with the person they are caring

for can expect to spend $4,500 out of pocket annually for expenses such as food,

transportation and medication.

Plus there are other , more clandestine caregiver costs. Caretakers say they

" almost always " feel stressed at home. And the stress and physical demands can

lead to higher medical expenses and career roadblocks, explained geriatric

psychiatrist Marc Agronin..

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