HJNO Jan/Feb 2024

48 JAN / FEB 2024 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS COLUMN MEDICAID members who may have little experience, education, resources, or support. As a re- sult, caregivers experience caregiver bur- den. But by understanding the challenges caregivers face, we can identify potential interventions and support mechanisms to improve their well-being and the overall quality of care they provide. It is incum- bent on healthcare practitioners to recog- nize the invaluable services of caregivers as well as to offer programming and re- sources that can assist them in managing their own health. What is caregiver burden? Caregiver burden refers to the “level of multifaceted strain perceived by the caregiver from caring for a family member or loved one over time.” 3 Ultimately, it can impact almost every aspect of a caregiver’s life. ACCORDING TO THE 2020 census re- port, individuals ages 65 years and older represent the largest and fastest growing population cohort in the United States. With more than 55.8 million people — about 16.8% of the total population — these numbers are staggering. 1 And, when you consider that this concurrent growth of the population lives with chronic health conditions that necessitate in-home and community-based healthcare services rather than in a hospital, a spotlight shines on one of the most over-looked, yet most important members of the care team: the family caregiver. Family caregivers encompass individ- uals from all ages, races/ethnicities, so- cioeconomic backgrounds, and education levels. Many family caregivers willingly take on this responsibility not fully under- standing the breadth and scope of patient care, especially for those who require con- stant care and support such as individu- als living with Alzheimer’s, mental illness, cancer, stroke, or a developmental disabil- ity. According to The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, in 2015, the number of Americans providing unpaid care in 2020 increased to 53 million from 43.5 million and equates to 1 in 5 (19%) caregivers providing support to an adult with health or functional needs. 2 Caregiving duties include everything from administering medication and/or treatments, scheduling and transporting to and from appointments, talking with physicians and other members of the care team, to advocating for services and resources. The list goes on and on, with complex responsibilities falling to family UNSUNG HEROES Recognizing and Supporting Our Family Caregivers “There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. Caregiving is universal.” — Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady of the United States