November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor and recognize family caregivers who work tirelessly to serve their loved ones. Caregivers perform many duties—outside of their work hours—to help their family member(s), also known as the care recipient(s). Care recipients need assistance from a family member if they suffer from chronic illnesses, disabilities, and/or experience conditions while aging which impedes their activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs that caregivers provide to care recipients include medical assistance, bathing, meals, dressing, transportation, and more.
One out of six employees who have a full-time or part-time job in the U.S. are caregivers to either an older adult, disabled friend, or family member.
Older adults, spouses, children, and other family members could be care recipients. Many people are caregivers in the United States. In fact, one out of six employees who have a full-time or part-time job in the U.S. are caregivers to either an older adult, disabled friend, or family member. Although caregivers are dedicated to helping their loved ones, they often neglect their own health and other aspects of life.
Challenges that caregivers endure to support their loved ones
Caregivers can face financial hardships as they provide care. According to AARP Ohio, caregivers across the U.S. spend an average of over $7,200 in out-of-pocket caregiving costs each year. Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) recently released a policy brief describing the challenges of caregivers and how public health system can support them. The policy brief noted that some caregivers work less hours, take much time off from work, and/or decline promotions and career opportunities to care for recipients in need of service. TFAH also mentioned that one in five caregivers deal with elevated levels of financial strain.
Another challenge for caregivers is how their service impacts their health. While taking care of recipients or loved ones, caregivers can experience stress, anorexia, insomnia, and fatigue as stated in TFAH’s policy brief. Their physical health could be affected by suffering from muscle strain and musculoskeletal injury due to their caregiving tasks. They also neglect personal time to exercise and maintain a healthy diet.
How can public health help caregivers?
TFAH listed some strategies that public health agencies can use to help caregivers. The following strategies are from their Age-Friendly Public Health Systems (AFPHS) 6Cs Framework. This is not an exhaustive list:
- Creating and leading systems, policy, and environmental changes to enhance adult well-being. Public health practitioners can work with organizations who are engaged in advocacy to support extended family and medical leave protections and flexibility.
- Connecting and convening stakeholders from various sectors to address the social and health needs of older adults through collective impact approaches centered on the social determinants of health. For example, The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services collaborated with Montana State University to conduct the Caregiver Respite Food Program. Caregivers and their care recipients received prepared meals by participating in this program.
- Complementing current health-promoting programs to adequately meet older adults’ needs. For instance, community health workers can coordinate support services for both older adults and caregivers.
Policies to provide financial assistance to caregivers
Given the sacrifices of caregivers to ensure their loved ones stay healthy, how can policies support them? Community Solutions has previously listed some ideas of how policies can help them, but there is legislation in the works. On the federal level, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) and Bill Cassidy (R- Louisiana) introduced the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act. If this act becomes law, caregivers would be able to utilize their tax-free flexible spending or health savings accounts (FSAs or HSAs) to purchase qualified medical expenses for their parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law. Currently caregivers can only use FSA and HSA for themselves, spouses, or dependents claimed on their taxes.
Another piece of federal legislation is the Credit for Caring Act of 2024. Introduced by U.S. Representative Mike Carey (R-OH-15), this bill would offer a new tax credit of up to $5,000 for working family caregivers. The tax credit is limited to 30 percent of long-term care expenses if a caregiver pays over $2,000 of expenses in a taxable year.
State Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) introduced Senate Bill 205—the Kinship Care Act—to enable an income tax credit for family caregiving expenses.
On the state level, State Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) introduced Senate Bill 205—the Kinship Care Act—to enable an income tax credit for family caregiving expenses. If the bill passes, family caregivers could receive a tax credit up to $2,000 based on up to 30 percent of expenses that they incurred. Expenses include ways to improve or modify a care recipient's home, to adjust the care recipient's vehicle, equipment that will assist in at least one ADL, transportation, and more. The bill received its first hearing last month in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
There is a state coalition that advocates for paid family leave for families and caregivers. Time to Care Ohio comprises of various stakeholders across the state who want Ohio to offer this benefit. Currently, 77 percent of Ohioans cannot have access to paid leave. Paid leave offers benefits for the caregiver, care recipient, and businesses. If Ohio enacts paid leave, then it could become the 14th state to provide this benefit. Massachusetts, Maryland, Oregon, Minnesota, and other states already offer this benefit.
Working collectively can help caregivers who are unsung heroes in our communities.
We need to support caregivers
As we go through November and beyond, let us remember the sacrifices that caregivers are making to care for their loved ones while supporting policies that could help improve their lives. Try to advocate for caregivers, whether in the policy or public health space. Working collectively can help caregivers who are unsung heroes in our communities.
