AARP Caregiving Survey, Jan. 16

A new AARP survey of Oregon registered voters age 45 and older, found that 85 percent of Oregonians want to live independently at home for as long as possible with the help of family caregivers. When the basic tasks of life become more difficult due to aging or illness, the vast majority of Oregonians (90%) said it is important to have services that allow people to stay in their own home as they age; but the family caregiver wants more resources and training (76%) in order to properly care for their loved one. “Caregivers take care of family and loved ones because that’s what they do,” said Jon Bartholomew, Government Relations Director for AARP Oregon. “They don’t think of themselves as caregivers. But the meals fixed for Mom and Dad, the visits to the doctor–that help and other long-term care assistance would cost $450 billion nationwide if someone had to be hired to do it.” A whopping 50% of those surveyed are currently providing or have provided unpaid care to an adult loved one who is ill, frail, elderly or has a physical or mental disability. In fact, there are over 460,000 family caregivers in Oregon who help care for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones so they can remain at home – as opposed to costly institutions.