The Benefits of Senior Living for Family Caregivers

November 22, 2024

Discover how senior living communities can ease the burden for family caregivers, too.

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Each year, more than 34 million Americans provide unpaid care to an adult over age 50. And while most say caring for an aging parent can be a positive experience, caregiving takes a toll on them, both financially and emotionally.

According to an AARP Study from 2021, nearly eight in 10 caregivers report having routine out-of-pocket expenses, with the typical annual total being $7,242.
Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care. Nearly 25% of caregivers spend 41 or more hours per week.
Those caring for a spouse/partner spend 44.6 hours per week performing caregiving tasks.
60% of caregivers must make workplace accommodations such as cutting back on hours or taking a leave of absence. Those who leave their jobs to be full-time caregivers can risk losing about $300,000 on average in lifetime benefits and wages.
In 2023, family and other unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias provide an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care, which is valued at $346.6 billion. Families spend an average of more than $10,000 per year on out-of-pocket health and long-term care costs.

Caring for a loved one can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with challenges and expenses —especially as needs change over time. The responsibilities of caregiving can be physically and emotionally draining, often leaving little time or energy for other aspects of life particularly when worries about a loved one’s health or your ability to provide adequate support arise.

A Solution: Discover the Benefits of Senior Living

It’s common for family caregivers to experience a mix of emotions, from anxiety and guilt to a strong sense of dedication and love. Fortunately, there is a solution that can significantly improve the quality of life for both caregivers and their loved ones: a senior living community.

In fact, conversations with senior living residents often reveal a common theme: family. For many, the decision to move was driven by the desire to ensure a better future for themselves while easing the burden on their family members.

Understanding what family caregiving means for everyone involved is an important element of the decision-making process. Keep reading to learn why a growing number of older adults – and their families – are convinced senior living communities offer can ensure a happier and more secure future for everyone involved.

Reduced Stress and Burnout for Caregivers

The emotional and physical strain on caregivers can impact their overall health. Family caregivers can be at a higher risk of depression, chronic illness, exhaustion, and burnout. Senior living can help relieve stress and burnout by:

Providing emotional relief from the stress and fatigue of constantly juggling caregiving and life duties
Reducing the physical demands that often come with caregiving
Allowing time for self-care to focus on health and wellbeing
Restoring the balance between professional and personal life
Allowing families to focus on quality time with their loved ones rather than caregiving

Access to Better Resources than What Caregivers Can Provide

Another benefit of senior living is that it offers the support and resources most caregivers can’t provide, giving family caregivers a sense of security, relief, and peace of mind. Most communities offer:

Professional care and assistance (or access to it)
Trained staff to handle medical needs and emergencies
Screenings and preventive care
Personalized, professional care plans are tailored to needs
Wellness activities like exercise classes and cognitive engagement programs
Countless social engagement opportunities and activities

Enhanced Safety and Security

One of the most significant worries for family caregivers is the safety of their loved ones. Senior living communities help ease those concerns for families by providing:

24/7 monitoring and care
Emergency response systems
Medication management reduces risks of missed doses or errors

Nutritional Support and Meal Preparation

Nutritional support and meal preparation offered at senior living communities benefit family caregivers by alleviating the daily burden of cooking and meal planning. Senior living communities ensure residents receive balanced, nutritious meals tailored to their dietary needs, allowing caregivers to focus on quality time with their loved ones rather than meal-related tasks.

Additionally, communal dining fosters social engagement, which can improve mood and appetite while reducing feelings of isolation.

Greater Independence for Seniors

Families take comfort in knowing that senior living communities promote and nurture independence through a variety of supportive measures. These communities provide residents with autonomy in their daily activities, ensuring that assistance is available when needed while allowing individuals to maintain control over their routines. Additionally, the senior living lifestyle is designed to boost self-confidence and self-esteem, empowering seniors to engage fully in their lives.

The Financial Benefits of Senior Living

Financially, senior living communities offer predictable monthly costs that typically cover housing, utilities, meals, and activities, which can help manage expenses more effectively. They eliminate home maintenance and repair costs, reduce food expenses through included dining options, and may even provide tax benefits for medical and long-term care expenses.

Logistically, senior living communities simplify daily life by offering maintenance-free living with housekeeping and landscaping services, on-site amenities such as fitness centers and social activities, and coordinated transportation for medical appointments. Additionally, some senior living communities, such as continuing care retirement communities or life plan communities, provide access to various levels of care as needs change, ensuring that residents receive appropriate support without the stress of relocating.

Choosing senior living means staying in control of your future and your finances – which means your family doesn’t have to worry about what will happen to you down the road.

Plan Now

It’s common to avoid or put off a care plan discussion until a health emergency forces the issue. A sudden illness or injury means the family needs to find appropriate long-term care right away – often without a full understanding of what options are available or how it can be paid for. A senior living community allows you to be in charge of those decisions before they need to be made – and takes that responsibility off families.

Providing for a Spouse’s or Partner’s Future.

Many couples choose senior living to ensure their loved ones will have the care, community, and quality of life they need now and in the future.

Find a Community

As you continue your exploration of senior living and how it can impact your life, bring your family into the discussion. Because it’s not just your future – it’s theirs, too. If you’re curious about senior living communities near you or your family, use the Community Locator Tool to explore your options.

Where You Live Matters

Where You Live Matters is powered by the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), a respected voice in the senior housing industry. ASHA primarily focuses on legislative and regulatory advocacy, research, and educational opportunities and networking for senior living executives, so they can better understand the needs of older adults across the country.

Sources

Americans Speak on Long-Term Care and Alzheimer’s Disease. The Women’s Alzheimer’s
Movement and The Bipartisan Policy Center, 2017
Caregiving in the U.S., 2015 (National Alliance for Caregiving; AARP)
Family Caregiving and Out-of-Pocket Costs: 2021 Report (AARP)
Understanding the Impact of Family Caregiving and Work, 2012 (AARP Policy Institute)
National Center on Caregiving
The Alzheimer’s Association

_{Originally Published: April 30, 2018 – Updated On: November 22, 2024}