Providing Dementia care is challenging.
According to the National Alzheimer’s Association 2020 Facts & Figures report,83% of the help provided to older adults in the United States comes from family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers.
Nearly half of all those unpaid folks are caring for someone with Dementia. That’s 16 million Americans providing Dementia care.
In 2019 those 16 million unpaid caregivers delivered an estimated 18.6 billion hours of assistance. A contribution to the nation valued at $244 billion.
In 2019 the total lifetime cost of care for someone with Dementia was an estimated $357,297.
70% of those astronomical costs are borne by family caregivers. This includes out-of-pocket expenses for things like medication, food, living expenses, and unpaid caregiving support. These statistics are staggering.
Family caregivers for those with Dementia, admit to high rates of stress and depression, which can negatively impact their overall wellness.
Yet, unpaid Dementia caregivers often suffer-in-silence.
All of their time, attention, and energy can be consumed by the caregiving duties and responsibilities, leaving little room for them to find time for themselves.
Far too often, family caregivers aren’t prioritizing time for engaging in (necessary) self-care opportunities. In this video, I break down these dynamics a bit to an audience of family care providers.
Be sure to watch the whole 2-minute clip. I ask the Million Dollar question – at the very end.
