It is common for family members to become the first and/or only source of support for older adults and adults living with disabilities. In fact, more than one in five people is a family caregiver for an adult, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP. Most family caregivers provide:
- Help with bathing, grooming and dressing
- Food preparation and feeding
- Mobility assistance
- Financial aid and money management
- Transportation
- Grocery shopping
- Laundry and light housekeeping
- Medication management
- Mental health support
On average, caregivers spend about 24 hours per week caring for loved ones, which can lead to less time at their paying job and less time to manage their households and health. While caregiving is an important and meaningful way to support a loved one, it can erode a caregiver’s financial, physical and emotional well-being. Local resources can help alleviate some of those responsibilities, including housing, health, medical, legal issues and more. Visit the Older Adult Resources page to learn how Oakland County supports older adults.
For more information on support services for caregivers and older adults, visit the U.S. Administration on Aging’s Eldercare Locator or AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services (formerly Area Agency on Aging 1-B), serving Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties.
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