Since the dawn of time the circle of care for most families usually follows a very predictable pattern: parents take care of children when they are little and then when parents are old, the children take care of them. Little has changed in that arrangement throughout the centuries and most of us are prepared for that and expect it. It is only natural. Part of life. Expression of responsibility and devotion to our parents.
The entire cost however is not only financial and spans much further than the impact it has on the familys finances. To assess the true impact of long term care on its providers and recipients, Genworth conducted a survey of more than 800 consumers with personal involvement in a long term care event lasting more than 30 days. The results of the study are published in a report called Beyond Dollars: The True Impact of Long Term Caring.
The study divides the parties involved in four self-explanatory categories:
- care recipients
- primary caregivers and secondary caregivers - usually spouses, siblings, children or in- laws
- broader community - religious organizations, community non-profits, friends and neighbors.
- care recipients
- primary caregivers and secondary caregivers - usually spouses, siblings, children or in- laws
- broader community - religious organizations, community non-profits, friends and neighbors.
The Care Recipient Perspective:
When someone experiences a debilitating health event - short term or long-term - that may require them to be dependent on others, to dip into savings or stop working, the effects can be significant. There are obvious consequences and new circumstances, other impacts are unseen, but real nonetheless.
For example, 42% of the care recipients said that they felt stress with their spouse and 35% reported stress with their children. When it comes to financial impact, 88% said their household income was reduced by an average 34% due to their long tern care event and a whopping 63% reduced their savings by almost 70%. As far as out-of pocket costs are concerned, the study found that on average care recipients spend $14,000 out-of-pocket for their own care and that does not even include the cost of facility care. It is difficult to think about the possibility of needing long term care and 49% of care recipients report that they had not considered the possibility of ever needing it. Yet, 29% required care for 3 or more years and 37% has to move into a family members home for an extended period of time.
The report cites participants in the study:
My wife had to be available 24/7. She also became my chauffeur and needed to help me shower and dress - to help me move at all, really. It impacted her freedom and her lifestyle.
I think my son and daughter worried that I would want to move in with them so they could take care of me. Fact is, I didn't. It was the elephant in the room for the longest time. I have always valued my independence. That doesn't change with age. But I inevitably ended up needing their help. I am grateful and don't know what I would have done without them, but it definitely altered their way of living and mine.
The Primary Caregiver Perspective:
Being the main caregiver has serious impacts on both the emotional and financial well-being of an individual and their family. Juggling time, career, family and finances are the most prevalent stress points, but they are only part of the personal and emotional issues that make providing Long Term Care (LTC) expensive on so many levels for the primary caregiver and their family.
One of the most significant issues with long term care is that it is in most cases an arrangement for considerable amount of time. 43% of the primary caregivers surveyed reported that the care recipient resided in their home for more than 3 years. And 57% of primary caregivers provide care for longer than 16 hours per week. So it is not surprising that such extended care has a direct impact on the primary caregivers life - from their relationships, finances and health to their career and social interactions. Over a third of surveyed caregivers reported direct negative consequences to their own careers resulting from the responsibilities to a care recipient. Many of these family members worked fewer hours with repeated absences. And nearly 20% reported a direct loss of career opportunities. Additionally, 44% had to work fewer hours and 48% lost a job, changed shifts or missed career opportunities.
The relationship and emotional impacts are also present for the primary caregivers. 44% report an increase in stress with their spouse and 23% experienced an increase in stress with their children.
In the words of the study participants:
In theory, I believed I could take care of my Mom, keep up with her home, and take care of my family, my kids and myself. In reality, I'm running Mom to her doctor appointments and my kids to school and sporting events and sleepovers. I am constantly torn, feeling guilty that I'm not doing enough for anyone, including taking care of myself these days.
Caring for my dad has left me with much less time to spend with my own daughter. With three generations living together, there is a whole new set of rules to live by and a new set of frustrations for everyone.
I am an only child, and my mother's plan was to have me care for her. She became ill during the worst financial crisis of our lifetime. She is better now, after 11 months. But I am broke.
The Caregivers Family Perspective:
Spouses, children, in laws and siblings of primary and secondary caregivers are also very much impacted in a long term care situation. Very often the family dynamics changes significantly. Supporting a care recipient requires time, commitment and care beyond physical needs. A spouse may resent the intrusion and withdrawal of attention they are used to receiving.
Additionally, children feel neglected when parents have to tend to their grandparents. Also, financially, college and retirement savings contributions suffer as a result of the changing focus and the increased need to cover long term care expenses.
In the words of the study participants:
I can't attend to my children like I used to do anymore because of the care I have to give to my mother The kids seem to act up more in school or their grades are not as good as they once were.
Less time for activities. Homework is stressful if there are things going on with Mom, Dad or Grandmother, and we have to hurry sometimes.
Plan Ahead
So how can we minimize the impact of long term care? The answer seems very simple yet very few of the surveyed participants in the study have done so: PLAN AHEAD.
More than half of the respondents (55%) reported that their greatest fear regarding a long term care illness or event was being a burden on their family. In fact, they reported being five times more concerned about being a burden than dying.
Although the issue is a top concern, many are still not engaging in open conversations about potential long term care expenses, the costs or the types of care they would prefer or may need in the future. More than 90% surveyed have not talked about critical long term care issues with their spouse/partner, aging parents or adult children.
Although the issue is a top concern, many are still not engaging in open conversations about potential long term care expenses, the costs or the types of care they would prefer or may need in the future. More than 90% surveyed have not talked about critical long term care issues with their spouse/partner, aging parents or adult children.
First step in planning is talk to your family.
Once you have decided what would be the best course of action if a potential need for long term care arises, meet with your trusted financial advisor and explore your options for long term care solutions.
