The US needs to invest in a national strategy to develop support mechanisms for caregivers aiding elderly family members, according to a study by a health care and aging committee. With the average duration at which family members care for elderly relatives with high needs at 2017, the study found that wages and benefits lost to care-giving for those aged over 50 average $303,880, leading to reduced social security payments for caregivers. Thus, experts have recommended social security credit for caregivers, as well as protected class status under existing job discrimination laws.
The US needs to invest in a national strategy to develop support mechanisms for caregivers aiding elderly family members, according to a study by a health care and aging committee. With the average duration at which family members care for elderly relatives with high needs at five years, the study found that wages and benefits lost to care-giving for those aged over 50 average $303,880, leading to reduced social security payments for caregivers. Thus, experts have recommended social security credit for caregivers, as well as protected class status under existing job discrimination laws.