December 2018
Women and Caregiving
So far this year, I have met with over 800 families. Each of
these families came to us with different needs concerning their loved
ones—estate planning, guardianship, applying for VA Benefits, paying for nursing
home care, asset protection, etc., but almost all of these families had one
thing in common—a strong, compassionate woman involved in their loved one’s
care. More times than not, sitting across from me at the table, discussing the
intimate details of their aging family member, is a wife, sister, daughter,
granddaughter or daughter-in-law. Out of
800+ families, I have met with at least 620 women caregivers. Yes, we do have husbands, sons, and brothers
reaching out to our office, but the majority of the individuals meeting with us
are women.
This is no big surprise. Statistically, women do the majority
of caregiving in the US. Almost 70% of
caregivers are women. The average family caregiver is a 49-year-old working
woman; she spends an average of 20 hours per week providing unpaid care to a
disabled or aging loved one. In addition to emotional support and
companionship, these women are providing hands-on care, care management
services, transportation, and advocacy. About one quarter of women between 45
and 64 and one in seven between ages 35 and 44 are caregivers for older
relatives.
Women are essentially the backbone of our long-term care
system, and they are enabling almost 65% of older adults with long-term care
needs to remain in their homes. The value of the informal care that women
provide ranges from $148 billion to $188 billion annually. This huge job comes
with costs to the caregiver. I will
never get used to witnessing the stress, anxiety and weariness that accompanies
each of these family members into my office. The wives are afraid they will be
financially devastated by their spouses’ care expenses, the daughters are dealing
with the stress of caring for aging parents while also working full-time, and
the daughters-in-law, left as the primary decision maker for her husbands’
parents all leave an impact on me. I am both impressed by strength, energy, and
resiliency of these women and saddened by the inequity. It is no surprise to me that female
caregivers have been found to have high levels of depressive and anxiety
symptoms and lower life satisfaction.
In addition to the emotional impacts of caregiving, most
caregivers take on a financial loss after becoming a full-time caregiver. Ten
percent of caregivers have to reduce their hours at work, and six percent are
affected so much that they leave their job. This leaves caregivers financially
insecure as they lose the ability to contribute to pensions or save for their
own old age. This particularly worrisome
because older women already have higher poverty rates than men.
To all of our family caregivers, I see you and the work that
you are doing. You are doing a great job, and this is not easy work. You put in
countless hours patiently caring for your loved one, sitting by their hospital
beds, touring assisted living communities, running errands, talking to doctors,
organizing medications, handling family disagreements, and paying the
never-ending bills. Your job is 24/7 with few breaks, and I continue to be
amazed by your endless energy and abilities. I wish I could do more to change
how we as a community support family caregivers.
Caregiving is usually considered a family responsibility or
obligation. Our health care system and
government safety net programs particularly view caregiving this way. But the increasing demands on caregivers as
more and more adults are reaching old, old age and requiring years of hands-on
assistance is unsustainable, especially as it leaves more women caregivers
vulnerable to becoming impoverished in their own old age.
In 2019, Hurley Elder Care Law will be exploring this issue in
depth through a new continuing education course for health care professionals: Unequal, Unprepared and Unprotected: Women and Aging. If you are a member of a group that may be interested
in learning more about this important topic, please contact us at (404)
843-0121 or info@hurleyeclaw.com.
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 | Family Business
Family tradition is very important to the staff at Hurley Elder Care Law. This past weekend Louise, Joanna, Dawn, Sandi and Theresa had their annual cookie-making day. Michelle is taking her mother and daughter to the Opryland Hotel this year. Every year when she was a little girl, her mother took her so now she is excited to be going back with both of them! While most families leave Santa milk and cookies at the fireplace, the Hurley’s leave Santa a glass of Port to warm his tummy and a slice of stilton cheese to have alongside the Port. They also have a family-sized lego set to build on Christmas day. This year Debbie’s family will be heading to Costa Rica to celebrate their mother’s 80th birthday. From all of us at Hurley Elder Care Law, we wish you a wonderful holiday season! |
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Upcoming Speaking Events & Community Presentations
Thursday, January 17 - “You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know: The Importance of Being Educated Prior to a Crisis" at Sunrise Ivey Ridge. The options for paying for long-term care are limited. Did you know that Medicare will not pay for home care or assisted living community care? Do you know what Medicaid provides? Most families do not realize their limited options until they are in a crisis—usually when their loved one is about to be discharged from a hospital. Making decisions while in a crisis can be stressful and result in bad choices. This seminar is intended to provide information prior to a crisis. Learn how to best find, get and pay for good long-term care. *This event is free and open to the public.
Sunrise at Ivey Ridge, 2950 Old Alabama Road, Alpharetta, GA 30022 at 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to Sharon Ash at 770-475-6622 or Sharon.ash@sunriseseniorliving.com.
Thursday, January 24 - Join Michelle Allen, LCSW, for "You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know – The Importance of Being Educated Prior to a Crisis." The options for paying for long-term care are limited. Did you know that Medicare will not pay for home care or assisted living community care? Do you know what Medicaid provides? Are you aware of the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance benefit and the recent changes to the benefit? Most families do not realize their limited options until they are in a crisis—usually when their loved one is about to be discharged from a hospital. Making decisions while in a crisis can be stressful and result in bad choices. This seminar is intended to provide information prior to a crisis. Learn how to best find, get and pay for good long-term care. Appetizers and refreshments will be served. *This event is free and open to the public.
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Recent Blogs
Our Team- Read the six reasons we’re thankful for our attorneys.
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Miles P. Hurley, JD, CELA
Miles P. Hurley founded Hurley Elder Care Law in 2006 to provide legal assistance to the elderly population on issues relating to aging including retaining independence, quality of life and financial security. Mr. Hurley is one of twelve attorneys in the state of Georgia to receive the Elder Law Attorney Certification, and one of approximately 400 nationwide.
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Hurley Elder Care Law is dedicated to the process of long-term care and estate planning. Call us today for a free phone consultation with a client coordinator at (404) 843-0121.
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Hurley Elder Care Law 100 Galleria Pkwy, Suite 650 Atlanta, GA 30339 404-843-0121
Satellite Offices 2011 Commerce Dr. Suite 100, Peachtree City, GA 30269 225 Creekstone Ridge, Woodstock, GA 30188 6340 Sugarloaf Pkwy. Suite 200, Duluth, GA 30097 |
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