Higher cost of professional home healthcare forces more family members to provide care for loved one

Due to the rising cost of professional care, a growing number of people are becoming the primary caregiver for an aging parent or disabled family member -- often putting their own careers on hold as costs mount up. Advocates say those caregivers desperately need more sources of support.

While most private health insurance plans, including Medicaid/Medicare, offer help with certain expenses, the out-of-pocket costs for a family member may still be high.

Bandon Feldt of San Diego, California was a college freshman when his mom developed a form of dementia.

"I began as her care manager and then became her full time, ’round the clock, 24/7 caregiver," said Feldt.

In 2022, 53 million caregivers in the U.S. provided care for about 80 million people.

In North Carolina, the Commerce Department projects paid jobs for "home-health care" and "personal care" will increase by 23% in 2030. That’s 7 years from now. Until then, it is typically family members who step into the gap.

"These are unpaid, typically, family caregivers who spend approximately $7,000 of their own money per year according to an AARP study," said Bianca Padilla, CEO and co-founder of Carewell.

As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, the cost of professional care grows. COVID-19 magnified the challenge for caregivers as well as the growing strain on the labor market.

"One in three caregivers actually drops out of the workforce completely in order to provide this free, unpaid care to their loved one," says Padilla.

It's an isolating experience, according to Feldt.

"So my personal needs, whether it’s a social life, whether it’s school to be put aside and that true for many caregivers," he says.

"I think governments, businesses and society really needs to come together to help support these family caregivers," added Padilla.

She believes caregivers need more flexible work options and more "work from home" opportunities. Friends and neighbors can help.

"Just leaning in and doing something, even if it’s the wrong thing is one of the most helpful things," says Feldt. He says he simply appreciates thought behind their effort.

Paddilla added helpful ideas, such as: "Offer to prepare a meal. Offer to help take their mom to a doctor’s appointment. That really goes a long way."

In March of 2021 the "Credit for Caring Act" gained bipartisan support in Congress to help family caregivers receive financial support. However, the legislation is still currently stalled in Congress.

Padilla’s Carewell company conducts an annual award program to honor caregivers from across the country. Brandon Feldt won the "Caregiver Hero Award."