Unpaid family caregivers provide the vast majority of healthcare services for seniors in the US at an estimated value of $375 billion dollars a year. Caregivers often do this service out of love for a parent or other relative and do not consider the potential costs to themselves in time and treasure. While this is noble, it may be time to consider finding ways to get reimbursed for these costs. The first hidden cost is time itself.  This is time you are not improving your own earning potential either because you have reduced hours at work, quit your job, or are simply not getting promoted because you are less available and focused on work.

Does this sound like you?  You had a long day caring for others and you go home to sit on the couch, watch tv, eat some chips, and fall into bed exhausted a little late.  Then, you wake up bright and early to start it all over again with a quick jolt of coffee and some sweet breakfast. You may be experiencing caregiver burnout or stress.  Caregivers are at an increased risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, stress-related anxiety disorders, depression, and decreased immune function.

 

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