Caregiving in the United States essay
Caregiving has become an important aspect of aging in our society. Today much attention is paid to the issues of caregiving in the United States. The website for Administration on Aging provides much important information on caregiving, including the types of programs offered to elderly people. The number of elderly people who need care is constantly increasing. According to researchers, “nutritional and medical advances have lengthened average life spans so that the fastest growing segments of the population are the oldest age groups”(Glenn 1). As a result, the U.S. government has implemented effective strategies aimed at finding solutions to existing problems. The statistical data provided by the Census Bureau says that “the elderly population will more than double between now and 2050, to 80 million” (Seperson 27). There are many AoA programs, which help to address these problems: Elder Rights Protection programs, Home & Community Based Long-Term Care programs, and other types of programs.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program is one of the most effective programs developed in response to the needs of elderly people. This program was funded by the Administration on Aging, according to the Older Americans Act of 2000. This law provides funding for the development and functioning of local organizations offering caregiving services. Special attention is paid to education and training of caregivers in order to improve the implementation of caregiving programs. The National Family Caregiver Support Program promotes five basic services for family caregivers. These services include providing necessary information to caregivers about available services; providing assistance to caregivers in gaining access to the necessary caregiving services, promoting individual counseling services, respite care services, facilitating the organization of support groups, effective caregiver training, and other supplemental services (National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title IIIE)).
The considerable tolls caregiving exacts from families providing long-term care include physical, emotional and financial tolls. Family members have to pay due attention to their elderly parents and grandparents, coping the stress of caregiving and addressing the needs of elderly people. Families can be viewed as the “major provider of long-term care” (National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title IIIE)). Although caregiving exacts substantial physical, emotional and financial tolls, many caregivers should be taught to provide effective care avoiding conflicts between their responsibilities. According to statistical data, “22% of caregivers are assisting two individuals, while 8% are caring for three or more” (National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title IIIE)). In many situations, caregivers face considerable decline in their own health, improper financing and poor emotional support. Caregivers may become isolated, experience depression, fear of physical harm, and other challenges.
In FY 2010, caregiving funding helped over 700,000 caregivers in receiving effective and useful services through the National Family Caregiver Support Program. These services helped caregivers to more effectively fulfil their caregiving responsibilities “while ensuring their loved ones remained in the community for as long as possible” (National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title IIIE)).
Thus, it is necessary to conclude that the number of elderly people who need long-term care is increasing. The increasing elderly population requires effective caregiving services. The National Family Caregiver Support Program helps caregivers to address the needs of elderly people. The services provided by the program guarantee the coordinated set of supports to caregiver, reducing caregiver depression, stresses and providing effective education to provide long-term care.
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