Its first ever Carer Well-Being Index, launched during National Family Caregivers Month, surveyed 750 Americans across various demographics who are providing unpaid care for a loved one with a long-term illness, physical disability, or cognitive/mental condition to learn how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted their physical, emotional and financial health.
Overall, the study showed that COVID-19 has increased demands and pressures on unpaid caregivers, including increasing the time and percentage of Americans who have responsibilities caring for loved ones with health conditions. The average time Americans spend caregiving has grown 7.4 hours per week since the pandemic began in the
These challenges have economic impacts and are likely even more significant among those caregivers who must balance workplace responsibilities and as a result, fear job security. The study found that the majority (67%) of caregivers are concerned they will have to work full time remotely while also caregiving for the foreseeable future. More than half of caregivers (56%) are also concerned they will lose their job because of the time commitments needed to be a caregiver.
'Caregivers are a critical element of healthcare systems around the world, and as the results of our Carer Well-Being Index study have shown, they remain an underappreciated resource in times of COVID-19,' said
Disproportional Impact on Female Caregivers and Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers has been particularly stark for women and ethnic/racial minorities. More support is needed for these groups in particular to address these inequities.
Notably, female caregivers are more likely than men to spend an average of 41+ hours per week on caregiving.
And the study found that women and racial/ethnic minority groups are being penalized with less financial resources to provide the proper care that is needed; in fact, of those whose financial health has worsened during the pandemic, racial/ethnic minority caregivers (28%) are more likely than white caregivers (14%) to have had their salaries reduced.
'The Embracing Carers report tells a critical story-that caregivers need more attention so that they can protect the people most at risk from COVID-19 and those who care for them,' said
COVID-19 Increased Emotional Burden on Caregivers
Across the board, survey findings showed the added pressure and emotional burden on caregivers during these unprecedented times. And while there are rewarding elements to caregiving, it comes at a cost - and it's often on the caregivers' well-being, which includes physical, mental, financial and social outcomes.
While caregivers have long sacrificed their own time and energy to care for loved ones, nearly three-quarters of caregivers agree that caring for someone during the pandemic has caused them to feel more burnt out than ever before (72%), which jumps to 80% among Gen Z adults and Millennials.
The pandemic has had a negative impact on many caregivers' mental and physical health according to 68% and 44% of caregivers, respectively. One of the top reasons why caregivers feel their mental health has worsened is due to physical distancing/sequestering orders causing them to feel isolated and alone.
Further to its results, the Carer Well-Being Index examines the ways that the public and private sectors can better support unpaid caregivers in the short and long-term, while highlighting the areas in which more support is needed across different sectors including government, private sector, public sector and employers.
'Ultimately, practical steps for immediate and long-term relief is key,' said
The US survey results are part of a 12-country survey examining the impact of COVID-19 on unpaid caregivers around the world that will be launched in
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About Embracing Carers
Embracing Carers is a global initiative led by
Carer Well-Being Index United States Methodology
In partnership with a third-party global leader in multinational market research, a survey was fielded online from
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