Handle with care: blacks are in weakest position to provide home care.African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. caregivers are more likely than other groups to experience financial hardship as a result of home caregiving, reports Caregiving in the U.S. The April 2004 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC See network access control. ) and AARP AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan national organization dedicated to "enriching the experience of aging"; membership is open to people age 50 or older. Founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus as American Association of Retired Persons, AARP now has over 30 million finds that 36% of black caregivers--defined as people taking care of an elderly parent or relative--spend $101 to $500 on their care recipient in a typical month. This is to cover, among other costs, groceries, transportation, and prescription medications. Although blacks spend less per week on caregiving than other groups, they earn less than the white, Asian American A·sian A·mer·i·can also A·sian-A·mer·i·can n. A U.S. citizen or resident of Asian descent. See Usage Note at Amerasian. A , and Hispanic caregivers surveyed. Only 33% of blacks report a household income of $50.000 or more. At that income level, the other groups are 42%, 53%, and 37%, respectively. "It's almost impossible to save enough money, says Gaff Gibson Hunt, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of NAC. "In New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. , long-term care long-term care (LTC), n the provision of medical, social, and personal care services on a recurring or continuing basis to persons with chronic physical or mental disorders. could cost $100,000 a year." On average, home caregivers experience a loss of $659,139 over the total time period they're caring for a loved one, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. The MetLife Juggling Act Study by NAC and the National Center on Women and Aging at Brandeis University. This includes lost wages ($566,443) and decreased Social Security ($25,494) and pension benefits ($67,202). In Caregiving, black respondents said they spend nine to 20 hours a week providing care. Twenty-two percent of black caregivers (compared to 10% of whites) report that caregiving is a financial hardship. Also, caregivers limit or reduce their contributions to IRAs, savings, and investments as a result of the financial responsibilities of caregiving. (For more information on the cost of long-term care, see "A Cure for Health Concerns" in the November 2004 issue of BE.) Percent of caregivers who make formal adjustments to their work schedules (all Americans) Use sick days/vacation time 64% Decreased hours 33% Leave of Absence 22% Full to Part time 20% Quit job 16% Retire Early 13% SOURCE: "THE METLIFE JUGGLING ACT STUDY", AND THE NATIONAL CENTER OF WOMENA ND AGING AT BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY Percent of Americans who experience moderate or Extreme financial hardship due to home caregiving African Americans 22% Hispanics 14% Asian Americans 11% Whites 10% SOURCE: "CAREGIVINE IN THE U.S.", NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE CAREGIVINE AND AARP |
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