Enhanced Care Solutions - Caregiving: The Big Picture and Senior Care

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Enhanced Care Solutions
965 Hwy 169 North
Minneapolis, MN 55441

952-285-1772 Office
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Caregiving: The Big Picture

Links to Information and Resources

Many of us may not self-identify as “Caregivers”. This term is most commonly associated with providing daily, hands-on, live-in care for a family member. While that may be the case for some caregivers, the term also refers to anyone with the emotional, financial, and/or physical responsibility for the care and well being of another. While the specific definition is important for policy purposes, we believe it critical to acknowledge the vital and courageous role that all caregivers – regardless of the number of hours spent caregiving or the number of daily activities with which assistance is provided – play in our society and economy.

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Caregiver Profiles
Caregiving: The Big Picture

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General Information

With the population of those aged 65 and over expected to more than double in the next 25 years, caregiving is one of the most important social issues of our generation. Sooner or later, it will affect nearly every family in America. According to a survey conducted by National Family Caregivers Association, more than one quarter (26.6%) of the adult population has provided care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend in the past year. That translates into 50 million people.

And this trend is expected to accelerate due to advances in medicine which are extending our life expectancies. As a matter of fact, the older you get, the longer you're expected to live, not the opposite. Sounds funny, but the reality is that a male born today has a life expectancy of 72-73 years and a female, about 78 years. But if you reach age 65, your life expectancy increases by another 18 years for females and 12 years for males. So for a female age 65 today, her life expectancy is 83 and for a male age 65 today, his life expectancy is 77.

Given these trends, the average person today is expected to spend more years providing care to an elderly person than providing childcare. So it is critical to take proactive steps to keep the elderly in the best health possible and living independently as long as possible.
It is also critical for our society to provide support services to our caregivers. Caregiver stress is one of the most prevalent, under-reported illnesses in our country. The National Family Caregivers Association, in its report entitled America’s Invisible Workforce, writes “ Family caregivers provide over 80% of all long term care services, often to their own physical and emotional detriment.” And it’s not just an emotional strain but often a financial one as well. According to the AARP, the average lifetime loss in total wealth for caregivers who are forced to leave jobs, reduce working hours, or refuse promotions due to their caregiving duties is over $650,000.

Given what caregivers do for families, often at great cost to themselves, they are one of our society's greatest assets.

ECS Products & Services:
Early Notification | Medical Alert - Personal Emergency Response
Health Management | Care Concierge