Introducing the CaringBridge SupportPlanner, for caregivers, employees, and employers.

1. Caregiving Impact on Caregivers and Employers
Stuart Shwiff, Corporate & Foundation Officer
+1 651.789.6410 sshwiff@caringbridge.org

2. Magnitude of Caregiving
Today & Tomorrow
According to AARP, about 42.1 million family caregivers in the United States provided
care to an adult with limitations in daily activities at any given point in time in 2009,
and about 61.6 million provided care at some time during the year1.
Unpaid family caregivers will likely continue to be the largest source of long-term care
services in the U.S.8
The aging population 65+ will more than double between the years 2000-2030,
increasing to 71.5 million from 35.1 million in 2000.8
SupportPlanner

3. Emotional and Physical costs of
Caregiving
• Employees who also serve as a caregiver at home report poorer health and more chronic disease
than non-caregivers6.
• Caregivers most unmet needs are finding time for themselves (35%), managing emotional and
physical stress (29%), and balancing work and family responsibilities (29%).1
• 20-50% of caregivers report having depressive disorders or symptoms.1
• Many caregivers of family members experience a higher level of hostility and a greater decline
in happiness.1
• 25% of women caregivers have health problems as a result of their caregiving activities.1
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4. Cost of caregiving
Total annual cost of lost productivity $25.2 billion
to the U.S. economy2
Total estimated lost work days per year among full-time employed 126,222,624 days
caregivers2
Number of lost work days per year among full-time employed 6.6 days (30%)
caregivers2 1-5 days (36%)
0 days (34%)
Estimated total number of U.S. adults employed full-time who are 19,124,640 people
caregivers2
Percentage of U.S. adults employed full time who are caregivers2 17%
Increase in healthcare costs between caregiving and 8%
non-caregiving employees6:
(Extra $13.4 billion per year healthcare cost to U.S. employers)
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5. MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to Working
Caregivers:
The proportion of adult children providing personal care and/or financial assistance to a parent
has more than tripled over the past 15 years.
Currently, a quarter of adult children, mainly Baby Boomers, provide these types of care to a
parent.
Working and non-working adult children are almost equally as likely to provide care to parents in
need.
Overall, caregiving sons and daughters provide comparable care in many respects, but daughters
are more likely to provide basic care and sons are more likely to provide financial assistance.
The total estimated aggregate lost wages, pension, and Social Security benefits of these
caregivers of parents is nearly $3 trillion.

6. MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to Working
Caregivers:
For women the total individual amount of lost wages due to leaving the labor force early and/or
reduced hours of work because of caregiving responsibilities equals $142,693.
The estimated impact of caregiving on lost Social Security benefits is $131,351.
A very conservative estimated impact on pensions is approximately $50,000.
Thus, in total, the cost impact of caregiving on the individual female caregiver in terms of lost wages
and Social Security benefits equals $324,044

7. How we can help
SupportPlanner is a free online calendar that helps family
and friends coordinate care and tasks by:
• Alleviating caregivers’ stress
• Giving hours back to caregivers and their families
• Providing physical and emotional support
• Managing time and tasks
supportplanner.caringbridge.org
SupportPlanner

8. How we can help
SupportPlanner example tasks:
• Serve as a patient advocate
• Offer breaks for caregivers
“Great site. It’s put together
• Make meals well and is very easy to use.”
• Provide transportation -Mike B.
• Care for children or pets
• Do household chores or lawn care
• Run errands
supportplanner.caringbridge.org
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9. Example community in motion
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10. Thank You!
More information about CaringBridge’s services:
• SupportPlanner: a free online calendar that helps family and friends
coordinate care and organize helpful tasks.
• Sites: a personal, protected online space where you can post health
updates and keep friends and family informed.
• Amplifier Hub: our new online volunteer community.
• CaringBridge brochures and materials.
• Contact: Stuart Shwiff, Corporate and Foundation Officer,
sshwiff@caringbridge.org or 612.414.1000 or 651.452.7940 (main)
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11. Sources
1. AARP: Valuing the Invaluable:
2011 Update The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving
2. Gallup Wellbeing: Caregiving Costs U.S. Economy $25.2 Billion in Lost Productivity
3. National Family Caregivers Association
4. National Alliance for Caregiving
5. AARP Foundation: Prepare to Care A Planning Guide for Families
6. MetLife Study of Working Caregivers, and Employer Healthcare costs.
7. MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to Working Caregivers.
8. Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving:
Selected Caregiver Statistics