According to the AARP Valuing the Invaluable report, caregivers provide over $600 billion in free care. This means 38 million unpaid family and friends offer services, on average, 18 hours per week. Just like parents, family caregivers sacrifice time, energy, and money to help others live and flourish in our country.
Families are raiding their family budget to pay for care. Caregivers are raiding 401K retirement savings accounts to make-up family budget shortfall. If not retirement savings, families report taking out second mortgages to pay for care. Working caregivers juggle work, family, and care putting their own health at risk sacrificing personal care, sleep, exercise, mental health, and a proper diet. In fact, family caregivers surrender their own future to care for others.
