Caregiving

For the first time since AARP began publishing the Scorecard in 2011, more than half of Medicaid long-term care dollars nationwide for older adults and people with physical disabilities went to home- and community-based services instead of nursing homes and other institutions.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, which seeks to shine a bright light on the more than 48 million American heroes, including 530,000 here in Minnesota, helping care for their loved ones independently at home – where they want to be.

Paths to Emotional Wellness

In Minnesota, nearly 450,000 residents 50-plus live on their own, up from more than 383,000 in 2012, U.S. census data shows. AARP Minnesota is working to help these solo agers develop support networks.

Caregiving may be one of the most important and challenging roles you’ll ever take on. No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier.

AARP research attaches $10 billion value to the estimated 5 million hours of unpaid care that family caregivers provided in 2021. 

Chances are, if you aren’t a family caregiver yourself, you know someone who is. Every day, nearly 640,000 Minnesotans help their parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, neighbors, and other loved ones to live independently at home – where they want to be.

Caregivers at the Polls: What's at Stake for Caregivers and their Families this Election Year

The state Legislature is considering paid a family- and medical-leave bill that would establish a state-run insurance program to provide up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for workers who take leave to care for a family member, for a pregnancy or because of a serious illness.

No matter where you are in the caregiver journey, these local agencies and organizations can help make the process easier