Caring By Yourself Gets Pricey

In addition to the emotional and physical burden that caring for a loved one can place upon a family caregiver, you can now add rising costs. A new study by MetLife, family caregivers will end up spending on average $300,000 on care for parents and loved ones. Particularly hard-hit are members of the so-called “Sandwich Generation”, who must juggle the expenses of college-age kids and aging parents who need care. According to the study, women are more likely to take care of loved ones as caregivers, but men generally foot the bill for care more often. Most strikingly, though, is the finding that caregivers who are responsible for the well-being of their aged parents or loved ones report higher stress levels and worse health than those are who not primary caregivers.

Though every family wants the best for their loved ones when it comes to care, sometimes it’s important to recognize that caring for a loved one on your own is not the healthiest, most cost effective solution for all parties. Professional home care providers like Home Care Assistance can help you devise new strategies for caring for your loved ones, while still allowing you the balance of hands-on time and independence that you need.