Caregivers should be a priority

It’s an astonishing number, but it shouldn’t be all that surprising.

According to AARP data, more than 650,000 Iowans provide unpaid care to loved ones. That’s more than one in every four adults.

Many face long hours caring for their family members. They face stress and untold difficulties. They cover costs they may or may not be able to afford. They may need professional help, but there is a severe shortage of care workers in Iowa. The shortage is even harder in rural areas of the state.

Without direct care workers, family caregivers burn out, and when that happens, it places more pressure on our medical communities.

They are unpaid and may feel unappreciated. Caregivers routinely lift, bathe, transport, and manage medications for loved ones — tasks that would cost thousands each month if done by professionals. But they soldier on, caring for older parents, spouses and other family members.

According to AARP, four out of five caregivers nationally pay out-of-pocket expenses averaging $7,200 annually.

More than half of Iowa caregivers are experiencing financial setbacks while piling up debt. They’re struggling to afford basics such as food and medicine.

Three out of five caregivers work, at least part-time, and many must curtail housework or leave the workforce to provide care.

Like unpaid caregivers, our political leaders have a job to do.

AARP, which advocates for older Americans, is calling on policymakers to find ways to provide financial help and additional support. They also need to address the shortage of direct care workers, who often struggle with low pay, long hours and high staff turnover.

“The mental, emotional, physical, and financial strains are insurmountable for many family caregivers. Their situation is made even worse when they seek the outside help of a home care aide, direct support professional, or other direct care worker, only to learn that their request for help can’t be met due to the direct care workforce shortage,” said Di Findley, executive director and founder of Iowa CareGivers.

AARP is advocating a federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for family caregivers. The group also wants to expand caregivers’ ability to use flexible spending and health savings accounts to cover some of the costs of giving care.

Our leaders must also address the issues that have caused the shortage of direct care workers. Better pay would be a good start.

Iowa lawmakers and members of Congress should make caregiver support a top priority in the upcoming legislative session. The need is urgent, and the solutions are within reach. Family caregivers cannot wait another year for relief.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com