AARP Montana Unveils Findings of New Statewide Caregiver Study at Legislative Committee Field Hearing

Helena, Mont., Nov. 20, 2016 — Today AARP Montana released findings of a statewide survey highlighting Montana family caregiver experiences, challenges and needs. The findings were announced during a legislative field hearing of the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim Committee which convened in Billings. The survey recognizes and supports the important role an estimated 118,000 Montanans serve as family caregivers.  Their labor of love makes it possible for older parents, spouses and other loved ones to live independently at home.   

“Today in Montana, a silent army of family caregivers are the unheralded backbone of our state’s care system providing home care for older Montanans and adults with disabilities, valued at about $1.4 billion annually,” said Tim Summers, State Director of AARP Montana, which represents more than 150,000 Montanans age 50 and older.

“If you’re not a caregiver now, you were one in the past, or you’ll likely be one in the future,” added Summers.  “This survey should be a wake-up call to Montana leaders about the realities and challenges family caregivers face, and what our state needs to do to better support them.”

The survey of 800 Montana registered voters age 45 and older, Caregiving in Montana, shows that most Montana voters have either had experience as family caregivers, or believe they are likely to be caregivers in the future. The survey was conducted by telephone between September 2 and September 14, 2015 and has a margin of error of ±3.5% percent.

According to the survey, typical current family caregivers in Montana are mostly women (59%) aged 65 and older.  They are likely to be married (70%) are employed either full or part-time (56%), and earn less than $60,000. The average age of the person they are caring for is 80-years-old.   If the caregiver is age 45 – 64, there is a 66% chance that person is working and juggling caregiving for younger and older family members while trying to make a living.

Montana family caregivers report they are providing care in a myriad of ways. One of the most noteworthy findings of the survey: Montana family caregivers are heavily involved in the medical side of care of their loved ones. Sixty-eight percent of caregivers assist with complex care like medication management and overseeing other nursing and medical tasks such as wound care, giving injections, and changing IVs.

“Family caregivers are the first line of defense against older Montanans being forced from their homes and into nursing homes or back into the hospital, but as our survey results show, this is not an easy task,” said Summers.  

Current or past caregivers report feeling stressed emotionally (56%).  Many make personal accommodations to care for a loved one: using their own money (56%), changing their work schedule if they’re employed (65%), or making changes to their home (35%).

Seventy nine percent (79%) of Montanans believe it is extremely or very important to have services that help caregivers take a break or maintain a job.  Sixty five percent (65%) of caregivers are taking time off or going to work late. Twenty eight percent (28%) of caregivers had to take a leave of absence; nineteen percent (19%) reduced work to part-time and seventeen percent (17%) had to quit working to care for a loved one.  Many Montanans cannot afford to quit their jobs to be a caregiver.  Support that help caregivers stay employed are essential.  Sixty nine percent (69%) of Montanans support paid leave for taking time off for family caregiving.  Eighty one percent (81%) of Montanans support ensuring that employers cannot fire someone for taking time off for caregiving.

Yet, ninety percent of current and past Montana caregivers say it is extremely or very important to provide this care so that loved ones can live independently in their own homes and communities.

“When it comes to modern family dynamics, caregiving is the norm, and while caregivers say they wouldn’t have it any other way, families incur physical, emotional and financial strains through this labor of love,” said Summers.  “In addition, some caregivers are under great strain to maintain a job and provide care at the same time.  In short, Montana family caregivers need help.”

Seventy-three percent of respondents say it is extremely or very important for there to be more resources and training for Montana family caregivers.  Eighty two percent of respondents support requiring hospitals to explain and demonstrate any medical or nursing tasks family members need to perform after the patient returns home.

Additionally, current and past caregivers need more support: information about resources in their community (76%), respite care or a chance to take a break (73%), and assistance with transportation (67%).

“AARP is fighting for commonsense solutions to support these unsung heroes because supporting family caregivers is a priority for all of us,” concluded Summers.

This survey is part of AARP’s Caregiving initiative which is designed to support, inform and advocate for family caregivers in Montana and across the country.   MT Caregiving Survey Results 2015or is available by contacting the AARP Montana State Office at MTAARP@aarp.org or 866-295-7278.