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Caregivers: A Lifeline

Across the country, millions of people wake up early, take time off work, and stay up late to support loved ones with health conditions or disabilities. Many shoulder these responsibilities unexpectedly and without pay or training. The circumstances and situations vary, but despite differences in education, geography and finances, they have one thing in common: when life’s twists and turns upend everything, they answer the call to help. They are caregivers, and our nation depends on them.1,2

In 2020, 53 million caregivers helped friends and family members.1 With the number of people over 65 projected to reach 73 million in the U.S. by 2030, the demand for caregiving is set to increase.1 So is our responsibility to help them.

While caregiving can be deeply rewarding, the demands can take a toll on caregivers’ health, emotional well-being, and finances.1 But informal and family caregivers are not alone. At Pfizer, we are committed to helping caregivers find solutions to the diverse challenges they face every day.

Who Is a Caregiver?

Caregivers come from all walks of life and fulfill many roles. With their wide-ranging contributions, it’s difficult to capture who they are. But what bonds every caregiver is their commitment to helping people who need health or social support.3 Caregivers can aid people of any age, from children to older adults. Some care recipients may have chronic conditions or disabilities, while others may need assistance recovering from injuries.4

Caregiving tasks and responsibilities also vary. They can involve helping someone wash, dress, eat, and manage their medication.3,4 They can also include paying bills, running errands, or organizing transportation.3 Sometimes caregiving means offering a shoulder to lean on or companionship.1

While caregiving can be a full-time profession, many caregivers offer support informally and without pay.3,4 Unpaid caregivers can come from any background, but they are  often women without expert training who often support someone age 50 and older.1 Many of these caregivers are middle-aged or older themselves,3 and they often find time around their work schedules to provide care.5 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls these caregivers the “backbone” of homecare in the U.S.3

 

The Benefits of Caregivers

No matter what form it takes — be it a helping hand up the stairs or a friendly afternoon call — caregiving offers recipients essential support. The benefits are as numerous as they are life-changing. Caregivers help people maintain their quality of life, preserve their independence, manage their physical needs, complete day-to-day tasks, and find emotional comfort.1,3

 

 

In many cases, caregivers provide much-needed practical support to care recipients. For example, caregivers help people manage chronic health conditions, which may include nursing duties such as caring for wounds and dealing with medical equipment.5 Some caregivers help people eat or wash, while others do chores such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Care recipients may need rides to and from appointments, or they may require direction in managing their medication or finances.4

 

 

Caregivers also serve as companions who provide the emotional support required to manage the most difficult time of someone’s life.2,4 In fact, caregivers can help care recipients experience less depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.1 And caregivers sometimes serve as an important point of contact when mental health professionals assess care recipients.6

The one-on-one moments caregivers provide combine to create immense value across the U.S. On average, family caregivers devoted 18 hours a week to care in 2021, which the AARP estimated to be worth about $600 billion.5 That added up to about 36 billion hours of unpaid care throughout the year.5

Personal fulfillment, social connections, feeling helpful, and learning new skills are some of the many benefits caregivers experience.1 But make no mistake: Caregiving can be taxing.1 The demands of supporting other people can impact a caregiver’s mental, physical, and financial well-being.1,3

  • More than a third of family caregivers said the responsibilities lead to emotional stress, according to the AARP. Just over half said caregiving makes it difficult to tend to their own mental health. About four in 10 said they felt lonely.7 The stress caregivers face can lead to depression and anxiety.1

  • Many caregivers overlook their health as they tend to people’s well-being, putting them at a higher risk of multiple chronic conditions.3 Caregiving can also be exhausting. Some caregivers may be accountable to the people they help around the clock. And caregiving tasks can pile onto other daily responsibilities, like work and raising children.4

  • Caregiving expenses often fall on caregivers, costing them around $7,200 a year, or nearly $9,000 a year if they support someone with dementia.1 At the same time, 40% of caregivers cut hours at work to keep up with caregiving demands.1 About 20% quit working altogether.1

 

The Support Caregivers Need

Caregivers are better able to help others and experience the upside of caregiving when they tend to their own health and well-being.4 As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out, “Self-care isn’t selfish.”8

Stepping away from caregiving responsibilities is a fundamental part of self-care. Just as employees need vacations from work, caregivers need regular breaks to protect their health. Respite care services, which offer temporary relief to caregivers, may be available through family and friends, nonprofits, and government agencies.8 Healthcare providers may also connect caregivers with respite care programs.8

Self-care is not a solo journey. Programs, resources, community groups, and informal social support exist to help caregivers protect their health and well-being.

 

 

The National Family Caregiver Support Program, for example, funds a range of assistance to eligible caregivers who look after older adults or children. Available support includes information about services, counseling, training, and respite care.9

Family and friends can help caregivers in many ways. They can manage daily tasks or offer a friendly ear. Checking in on caregivers and reminding them to prioritize their health can be valuable. Caregivers may also appreciate help with structuring care plans. One thing to consider: It may be best to schedule visits ahead of time.1

At Pfizer, we recognize the important role caregivers play in the health and well-being of their friends and family members. That’s why we offer information for caregivers of people who are participating in clinical trials and resources, including a patient assistance program, to help caregivers navigate the financial side of treatment.

 

Resources

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