Staying Fit
The recently released study found that nearly all Missouri family caregivers age 45-plus believe it is important to be able to provide care so that their loved ones can keep living independently in their own home and many would prefer that they or their loved ones be cared for at home if necessary. More than 80 percent of Missouri registered voters age 45-plus support measures in The Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable (CARE) Act, which will help unpaid family caregivers when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home. The bill features three important provisions that require hospitals to provide instructions on the medical tasks the family caregiver may need to perform at home, keep a family caregiver informed of major decisions, like transferring or discharging the patient, and to engage with caregivers by recording the name of the family caregiver when a loved one is admitted into a hospital.
Key findings include:
- There is widespread support for measures in the Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable (CARE) Act among residents 45-plus.
- Nearly all (90%) of current and former caregivers say it is important to receive training or instruction on medical tasks that they will need to perform.
- Most Missouri registered voters age 45-plus have experiences as family caregivers, or believe they are likely to be caregivers in the future.
- Having more caregiver resources and training that allows family caregivers to continue to provide in-home care is important.
- Missouri respondents who are current or past caregivers report feeling emotionally (63%) and financially stressed (30%).
AARP Missouri commissioned a telephone survey of 800 registered voters age 45-plus to learn about their experiences with family caregiving. This report highlights results from registered voters interviewed between October 21 and October 26, 2015. The data was weighted to reflect registered voters in Missouri age 45-plus. For more information contact Cassandra Cantave at CCantave@aarp.org.
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