Maine’s caregiver gap is widening

To the editor:

Family caregivers in Maine provided 165 million hours of care worth an estimated $2.2 billion to their parents, spouses, partners, and other adult loved ones in 2013. This is according to AARP Public Policy Institute’s new report, “Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update”.  As a long-term caregiver for my 92-year-old mother, I can attest to many of the findings in this report and I look forward to hearing how the state can better acknowledge and support the close to 200,000 Maine family caregivers mentioned therein.

We all know someone who has had to care for an aging relative or who has needed care themselves. Many Maine seniors rely on their monthly Social Security check as their only source of income which usually means they do not have extra money to pay a caregiver, no matter how badly they might need one. This is often when a noble family member will step up to care for them, but that comes at a price as well.

AARP notes that caregiving affects family caregivers’ physical and emotional health, finances, and their jobs with more than half of family caregivers reporting that they are overwhelmed by the amount of care their family member needs. For those who are working full or part-time, or perhaps raising their own children as members of what is known as “the Sandwich Generation,” caregiving stress can be even more severe.

As Americans live longer and have fewer children, the caregiver gap is widening: In the future, fewer family members will be available for older adults to rely upon for their everyday needs.  It is critical that we consider steps to provide more support to family caregivers in Maine.

Erica Magnus

AARP volunteer

Windham