Caregivers face high stress levels amid lack of support

As the baby boomer generation continues to age, more and more individuals who need long-term care are opting to age in place and receive informal care in their homes, with care being provided by a family member, partner or close friend. These informal caregivers offer a compassionate, personal touch, but frequently are left to manage stress, balancing competing priorities and a lack of access to adequate resources or training.

OneAmerica Financial conducted a study in conjunction with Hanover Research to better understand the daily challenges faced by informal caregivers. The survey explored how informal caregivers came into their positions, why they often work without compensation, and where they go for information and support.

Despite some people having LTC coverage or some type of insurance that would cover formal care, many opt instead for informal care, preferring someone they know to care for them from the comfort of their home. The most common tasks that these informal caregivers manage, according to the survey, include meal preparation and feeding assistance (76%), household cleaning and chores (75%), companionship or emotional support (72%), transportation (63%), and monitoring the care recipient’s health (62%).

“We often turn to the ones we love when we need help,” said Dennis Martin, president, individual life and financial services at OneAmerica. “The survey shows a clear preference for informal caregiving. Yet, most of us are not prepared to offer or provide that kind of care.”

According to OneAmerica’s 2024 Long-Term Care Consumer Study, 53% of Americans expect to receive long-term care at home if they unexpectedly become ill, with many anticipating that a partner (36%) or family member (29%) will take care of them. In line with this finding, when the need for long-term care does arise, caregivers are often selected because of their close relationship with the care recipient. Among the informal caregivers surveyed, 63% are immediate or extended family members of the care recipient and 27% are their spouse. These familiar caregivers can offer emotional comfort, tailored support and a deep understanding of the care recipient's needs, providing a sense of security during vulnerable times.

Sometimes, informal caregivers are selected due to practical considerations, such as living near the care recipient (39%), having a flexible schedule (37%) or volunteering for the role (35%). Given the substantial demands of informal caregiving, full-time caregivers are less likely to be chosen simply because they live in close proximity to the care recipient (26%).

Although many people may prefer the care of a loved one, an education gap clearly exists as most informal caregivers do not have the training or expertise to provide care. More than half (55%) of the respondents said they learn how to provide care via trial and error. And very few of the informal caregivers are compensated for their work, with 91% saying they do not get paid. This can lead to issues for the informal caregiver with 56% reporting frustration with their situation. The most common hurdles named by informal caregivers in the survey include balancing caregiving with other responsibilities (51%), emotional stress and burnout (47%), and lack of time for self-care or personal activities (32%).

To help manage their daily challenges, informal caregivers often look for support and resources — from strategies to improve their mental well-being to essential caregiving information. They most commonly seek advice from doctors, nurses, and social workers (64%) and from friends or family members (53%). Many also explore websites and online forums (48%) or read brochures and pamphlets (28%). Full-time caregivers are significantly more likely to consult medical professionals (72%), while part-time caregivers tend to turn to social media (30%) or books (25%). This difference may be attributed to full-time caregivers’ more frequent interactions with the care recipient’s medical care team.

OneAmerica offers a Caregiver Consultant Benefit. With a OneAmerica policy that includes this benefit, caregivers have the option to meet each month with a trained consultant who can offer guidance, help them create a self-care plan, and recommend resources and tools to optimize the care they give. The OneAmerica survey revealed 88% of respondents said this benefit would improve the quality of care provided to the care recipient.

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Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected].