Family Caregivers Face Financial Stress, Physical Pressure, and Emotional Challenges.

Family caregivers face many challenges. Caregiving is physically demanding, emotionally challenging, and financially hard. Family caregivers are often untrained and unprepared for the job. Avoid putting this responsibility on your family. Long-Term Care Insurance can be the solution.

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Family Caregivers Face Financial Stress, Physical Pressure, and Emotional Challenges.
4 Min Read December 22nd, 2016 Updated:January 9th, 2022

An AARP study among family caregivers explored the out-of-pocket costs of caregiving and the financial strain on the family caregiver. The report from 2016 estimated the monetary costs of caring for an adult with care needs by quantifying the out-of-pocket costs family caregivers are incurring. In addition to out-of-pocket costs, the study also explored other financial and personal strains that family caregivers may experience due to caregiving.

Since 2016 more family members have found themselves thrust into the role of being a caregiver for a parent or another loved one. The problem is worsening, and it isn't all due to COVID-19.

We live in an aging world, and lifespans continue to push the envelope. We experience declines in our health, body, and minds as we get older. Unless you have prepared for the future costs and burdens of aging, the problem will fall to your family or your finances - often both.

Key findings include the following:

More than three-quarters (78%) of caregivers are incurring out-of-pocket costs due to caregiving. This report estimates that family caregivers, on average, are spending roughly $7,000 per year ($6,954) on out-of-pocket costs related to caregiving in 2016.

  • A financial strain measure (annual caregiver expense divided by their annual income) shows caregivers are spending, on average, nearly 20% of their income on caregiving activities.
  • Household expenses garner the largest share of out-of-pocket family caregivers spending with 41% of total spending. This includes rent/mortgage payments, home modifications, and other household expenses. Medical expenses account for the second-largest share of caregivers' spending (25%), including assisted living or skilled nursing facilities, insurance costs, and other medical expenses.
  • Long-distance caregivers (defined as family caregivers living more than one hour from the care recipient) incurred the highest out-of-pocket costs ($11,923); however, caregivers living with their care recipient also incurred increased costs ($8,616). 
  • Caring for an adult over the age of 50 results in slightly higher out-of-pocket costs than caring for an adult younger than 50 years old ($7,064 vs. $5,721). Caring for an adult with dementia also resulted in higher out-of-pocket costs ($10,697 vs. $5,758 for adults who do not have dementia)
  • More than half of employed caregivers (56%) experience at least one work-related strain. This may take the form of working different hours, fewer/more hours, and taking time off (whether paid or unpaid). 
  • Many family caregivers also need to cut back on other spending which can undermine the family caregiver's future financial security. One in six have reduced contributions to their retirement savings (16%), and roughly half have cut back on leisure spending (e.g., 45% cut back on eating out or vacations due to caregiving expenses). 

The AARP study shows Latino/Hispanic families are burdened even more. The graphic shows Hispanic families with higher average costs to family caregivers. 

Long-Term Care Affects Families and Finances

The financial costs and burdens of aging impact all American families - especially the daughters and daughters-in-law which typically become the default caregiver in the absence of Long-Term Care Insurance.

Affordable LTC Insurance will ease the burdens placed on family caregivers and provide resources for quality care either at home or in a facility. 

LTC policies provide benefits for all types of care at home, adult day care, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes. Health insurance and Medicare will pay for only a small part of these costs.

Many states have partnership plans which provide additional asset protection. The time to act is before retirement, when premiums are very affordable. Many experts suggest that too many people forget about long-term health care's burden on their loved ones. LTC Insurance reduces this burden so the family can be family. Plus, the insurance will protect assets like your 401k from the high cost of care.

Start Shopping for LTC Insurance Well Before You Retire

The best time to put a Long-Term Care insurance policy in place is well before you retire - most obtain coverage in their 50s. Premiums are based on age at application, health, and the benefit levels you choose.

Consider the current and future cost of long-term health care services where you live. Review the LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator and find where you live - Cost of Care Calculator - Choose Your State | LTC News.

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About the Author

An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.

LTC News Contributor James Kelly

James Kelly

Contributor since August 21st, 2017

Editor's Note

People require long-term health care due to changes in their health, body, and mind. Whether you become ill, have mobility problems, or have other aging issues, being prepared will reduce the stress and anxiety placed on family members and give you peace of mind to enjoy your future retirement.

Family caregivers face physical and emotional challenges they must deal with as they juggle their work and family responsibilities along with being a caregiver.

Professional care services are expensive and adversely impact income, assets, lifestyle, and legacy. The costs are expected to climb even higher in the decades ahead, placing tremendous financial pressure on American families. 

Start researching your coverage options before retirement. Most people purchase coverage in their 50s—the earlier, the better to save money and take advantage of good health discounts.

Available Resources on LTC NEWS

LTC NEWS offers several tools and resources to help you in your research for a planning solution or help your family find the appropriate care for a loved one at the time of crisis. 

To help you plan for the future costs and burdens of changing health and aging, LTC NEWS has put in place several resources, including:

Find all the resources on LTC NEWS - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.

Benefits of Reverse Mortgages 

Today's reverse mortgages for those aged 62 and older could be an ideal resource to fund a Long-Term Care Insurance policy OR even provide money to pay for care if you, or a loved one, already needs help and assistance.  

Some people have much of their savings invested in their homes. With today's reverse mortgages, you can find ways to fund care solutions, care itself, even help with cash flow during your retirement. 

Learn more by asking questions to an expert. LTC NEWS columnist and host of the TV Show "62 Who Knew" will answer your questions regarding caregiving, aging, health, retirement planning, long-term care, and reverse mortgages. 

Just "Ask Mike." - Reverse Mortgages | LTC News.

Seek Professional Guidance

Experts suggest using a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to help you navigate the many options available to you and your family.

Insurance rates are regulated, so no insurance agent, agency, or financial advisor can give you special deals. However, insurance companies' premiums vary over 100% for the same coverage.

A specialist who works with the top companies can match your age, health, family history, and other factors and find you the best coverage at the best value. A specialist will save you money, and you will have peace of mind knowing they are making the appropriate recommendations - Work With a Specialist | LTC News.

Find Quality Caregivers and Long-Term Care Facilities

If your parent or loved one needs care now - or soon - you will need to find the appropriate care in the right setting depending on their needs.

Take a moment and read - 

Get Expert Help Filing an LTC Insurance Claim

LTC NEWS provides free assistance with no obligation to help you or a loved one complete the claims process with your Long-Term Care Insurance policy. 

You can also get support in finding quality caregivers and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy or not. - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News

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Use LTC NEWS to drive traffic to your website and help you attract people interested in your products and services. Plus, you can improve your website's SEO so more consumers can find you when they search for your products and services.

There are various marketing options available with LTC NEWS. Traditional advertising, sponsored content articles, and strategic alliances, and more are available. 

Learn more about how LTC NEWS can help you market your business, drive traffic, and improve SEO - Advertise With Us | LTC News.

Be A Guest Contributor for LTC NEWS and Share Your Knowledge 

LTC NEWS is open to contributors to share their stories with the world. 

You can write a story or ongoing column for LTC NEWS. You can write about many topics, including aging, caregiving, health, lifestyle, retirement planning, and long-term care, to name a few.

Be sure to write for our core target audience of adults aged 40 and older. Our audience is worldwide; however, our primary target is the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking nations. 

Improve your website or blog's SEO and gain exposure and traffic at the same time by being a contributor to LTC NEWS. 

You can even promote yourself, your business, and your website or blog. However, it must have editorial content exclusive for LTC NEWS and cannot be just an advertisement. It can include links to other sites, and you can share the article link once published on your website or social media.

Email your story idea or article: newsroom@ltcnews.com - LTC News Contributors | LTC News

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Let's work together and help consumers who search for us on the web - Site Request | LTC News.

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Include LTC NEWS in your press release distribution. If your group, organization, business, political committee, etc., have news to share, send it to LTC NEWS. Email - newsroom@ltcnews.com

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