New Report Reveals an American Caregiving Crisis: What It Means for Senior Care Communities

Caregiving for a loved one is a tremendously challenging job, but a new report sheds light on the struggles that unpaid caregivers face in the United States. The toll that caregiving is taking on families caring for their aging parents is eye-opening, and the caregiving crisis highlights the essential need caregivers have for more support than what’s currently available.

The Caregiving Crisis in America

Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO at A Place for Mom

The A Place for Mom 2024 State of Caregiving Report reveals an urgent need for caregiver support and resources. “We are living in unprecedented times, where over the next six years there will be 100 million more 80+-year-olds with a higher acuity of care needed than before,” says Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO at A Place for Mom. “Caregivers of aging loved ones are an underrepresented group that need our help.”

The 2024 report surveyed 1,077 unpaid caregivers of older loved ones throughout the United States to better understand the difficulties caregivers face. The results depict a caregiving base that is balancing priorities and in need of help.

According to the report, 79% of caregivers indicate that they weren’t fully prepared for the job of caring for their loved ones. Of the respondents, 43% are caring for their senior loved ones while also caring for their children or grandchildren.

Caregiving also takes a toll on caregivers’ emotions and finances. With 72% of caregivers reporting financial strain due to caring for a loved one, it’s easy to see why 72% also report they feel more overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed after taking on their caregiving responsibility.

A Growing Need for Caregiver Support

The caregiving responsibility is a large and time-consuming one. On average, individuals provide care for a loved one for 2.5 years. Caregivers spend an average of 22 hours per week caregiving, and 67% report they either don’t receive enough help or receive no help from friends and family.

There’s also a stark difference in the professional caregiving help needed and the help that is received. While 47% of respondents noted they need help from a professional caregiver, only 15% currently receive such help. Additionally, 55% of caregivers don’t have full confidence in the care that they provide.

What the Caregiving Crisis Means for the Residential Senior Care Community

The data from this report indicates that caregivers are already under tremendous stress, and the number of caregivers impacted will only increase in the coming decades as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Residential senior care communities are uniquely positioned to help.

The report indicates that caregivers lack confidence in the care they offer and need professional support. Senior care communities can help provide that support. By connecting with in-home family caregivers, senior care communities can offer education, help connect caregivers with community resources, and introduce them to the benefits that the senior care community can offer. Creating caregiver support groups could give caregivers the emotional support and connections they need to better care for loved ones while reducing stress. Establishing a program in which senior care community caregivers offer some in-home services could also build relationships with family caregivers and their loved ones.

Exploring ways to support family caregivers in their home can help this group in need, but it can also help eventually create a smoother transition for seniors from their homes into residential care. Providing caregiver support is a helpful way to build trust and help reduce caregiver stress, and it may contribute to building a residential community’s census.

Paige Cerulli

Paige Cerulli is a contributing writer to i Advance Senior Care.