AARP Nevada Joins Forces with Renowned Brain Health Center

Contributions of Nevada Caregivers are Significant

In Nevada the estimated value of family caregiving is $3 billion.  Millions of family caregivers across the country provide billions of dollars worth of care to loved ones each year according to AARP research updated in 2007.  With the current economic conditions this figure is likely to have grown.  

Many caregivers remain unaware of the resources that are available to them—and AARP and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health will be working with the existing network of service providers, as well as business, government, educational institutions and other key stakeholders in Nevada to improve the resources themselves as well as awareness and access to those resources.  

Helping Working Caregivers

In 2010, AARP and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health are planning a Caregiving in the Workplace Summit with key business leaders and policy experts in an effort to educate employers about resources for caregivers and advocate for workplace policies to assist caregivers. Businesses already feel the impact of family caregiving; as nearly one-fifth (19%) of all U.S. workers are caregivers.  Productivity losses associated with caregiving are estimated as high as $33 billion a year.  

By addressing the need for policies and programs to support caregiving, business can reduce the costs associated with these productivity losses.  For example, Nevada Federal Credit Union offers paid time off for specifically designated caregiving; as well as referral services to assist with elder caregiving and backup care for eldercare to its full- and part-time employees.  The company boasts a low employee turnover rate that reduces its recruitment and training costs.  

Linking Caregivers with Resources

The two organizations will be jointly developing education and awareness campaigns with the existing care giving network to help with early detection of neurological disease and caregiver support.  

We’ll be working on innovative models of service delivery, like informational webinars that can be done from the comfort of your own computer; as well as more traditional events and workshops in targeted communities across the state.

While plans are still in development, the prospect of these two organizations collaborating to improve the lives of caregivers and raise awareness as well as early detection of cognitive diseases has the potential to yield significant results for family caregivers, in this state and beyond.

Bookmark our website as a “favorite” and visit us in early 2010 for an update on our plans and progress, www.aarp.org/nv.