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Caregivers stand among the many unsung heroes; a diverse group of healthcare workers committed to a shared goal of providing exceptional care to those in need. Whether compensated for their role or driven by an innate sense of compassion, caregivers dedicate themselves to the noble task of ensuring the comfort and well-being of their patients.
This year, National Caregivers Day falls on February 16th and we would like to take this opportunity to shed some light on the caregiver community with the insightful facts and ways in which we can show appreciation for caregivers.
In 2020, a study performed by the National Alliance for Caregiving found that 21% of Americans provided care to an adult or child with special needs within the past 12 months, reflecting the selflessness of approximately 52 million caregivers.
In the same study, 19% of those 53 million caregivers provided unpaid care. Another interesting statistic is that 61% of family caregivers are already working another job.
What does that tell us? While you might not be able to see it, there are numerous individuals living in the United States who are providing care for a loved one, and that is not always their main responsibility. These unsung heroes might be taking care of their kids and working full-time jobs at the same time.
According to the CDC, the need for caregivers is expected to increase in conjunction with the rapid increase in the US senior population. By 2030, it is estimated that there will be a reduction to only four potential family caregivers per older adult, a decline from the seven potential family caregivers per older adult recorded in 2016.
In another study, PHI National anticipates a significant demand for direct care workers, estimating a growth of 1.1 million new jobs by the year 2028.
Caregivers are working hard, however, many are still being compensated at the bottom of the hourly rate table among US occupational groups. In 2022, direct care workers made an average of $15.60 per hour. This wage is below the 2022 national average living wage for an adult employed full-time with no children.
With that said, home care agencies like ours must treat caregivers well through good benefits and competitive wages.
In addition to receiving low wages, caregivers frequently lack access to quality benefits exacerbating shortage in the caregiver workforce. Some home care agencies do not provide healthcare benefits to their caregivers, which can escalate the risk of injuries, especially when caregivers lack proper training.
According to the CDC, caregivers often find the job emotionally and physically demanding. More than 53% of caregivers express concerns that a decline in their health could compromise their ability to provide care, highlighting a significant issue.
Fedelta Home Care is always looking out for our caregivers, and it comes in different forms. One of the most important things, as you might expect, is salary. We offer competitive wages along with a comprehensive 401K, medical, dental, and vision package to ensure our caregivers get what they deserve. And new for 2024, Fedelta is offering a re-designed scholarship program to support our caregiver’s professional growth!
Fedelta also offers variable shift lengths to not only be more flexible for our clients, but it gives our caregivers an opportunity for a better work-life balance.
Fedelta Home Care celebrates caregivers by expressing gratitude through thoughtful gestures, recognizing their invaluable contributions with special tokens of appreciation and festive treats – not just on Caregivers Day, but all year long!
While we were focused on agency caregivers, there are lots of ways you can show appreciation to any caregiver in your life.
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