Unpaid Family Caregivers Deserve Our Thanks And Much More

Posted on

Jan 15, 2016

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There are more than 3.4 million unpaid family caregivers in Texas. It is with pride that we extend our thanks to each one of them.
Family caregivers are the meal givers, the medicine givers, and the compassion givers. They help their loved ones bathe and dress, prepare meals, drive to medical appointments, assist with finances and much more. Some perform complex medical tasks like giving injections, managing complicated medications or cleaning wounds often with little or no training. Many provide this 24/7 care while working full-time without a break.
Caregivers often sacrifice their time, money, and even well being to ensure that their family member is given the ability to live comfortably in their home and out of costly institutions. But in the process, caregivers can sometimes lose sight of the importance of taking care of their own needs and are often taken for granted, despite the high value of care they maintain.
The cost of care unpaid family caregivers provide in Texas alone is estimated to be $35 billion a year; and its $470 billion worth of care provided nationally. That amount is more than the annual sales ($469 billion) of the four largest U.S. tech companies combined (Apple, Hewlett Packard, IBM, and Microsoft).
Family caregivers arent recognized nearly enough; they not only deserve our thanks, but they deserve our support. Caregiving is a labor of love, but its also often an incredibly time-intensive one. We extend our deep gratitude for the many things that they do.
Editors Note: This article was submitted by AARP State Director Bob Jackson.

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