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November 3, 2003
November is "National Family Caregiver Month", a time for the
community to recognize the substantial contribution those caring for
loved-ones give to their families and society as a whole. It is also a
time to encourage caregivers to reach out for assistance from public
and private sources and educate business and civic leaders about what
still needs to be done to support this growing segment of the
population.
Hawaii’s population is growing older at rates above the
national average. Across the United States nearly one out of every four
households (23% or 22.4 million households) is involved in caregiving
to persons aged 50 or over. By the year 2007 that number could reach
39 million nationally. In Hawaii it is estimated that more than
114,000 persons are providing care for their loved ones and
friends.
Prolonged care giving can take a toll on the physical and
psychological health of the caregiver. Family members provide more than
80 percent of all long-term care services, and in many cases, their
first line of contact with professionals is the family physician.
Primary care physicians can play a key role in safeguarding the health
of the family and making referrals for assistance for care giving
families. "Making the Link" program administered by the Honolulu
Elderly Affairs Division aims to increase physician awareness of the
needs of family caregivers to help the medical community link
caregivers with supportive services.
Family caregiving has far reaching economic consequences that
business leaders can no longer afford to ignore. Managing the
responsibilities of home and eldercare isn't easy for workers. One
survey revealed how the stresses of family caregiving affected employee
productivity:
- 49% went in late, left early, or took time off during work;
- 11% took a leave of absence;
- 10% quit their jobs entirely;
- 7% worked fewer hours, or took a less demanding job;
- 4% lost job benefits;
- 4% chose early retirement; and
- 3% turned down a promotion.
To get more information on family caregiver services in your
community, call your county office on aging; Honolulu Elderly Affairs
Division 523-4545; Kauai Agency on Elderly Affairs 241-6400; Maui
County Office on Aging 270-7755; Hawaii County Office on Aging 961-8600
(Hilo) 327-3597 (Kona) or visit the Family Caregiver Alliance web site
at www.caregiver.org.
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For more information, contact:
Wes Lum
Executive Office on Aging
(808) 586-7319
E-mail:wlwlum@mail.health.state.hi.us
Laura M. Lott
Department of Health
Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 586-4418
E-mail: lmlott@mail.health.state.hi.us
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