Feeling the Caregiving Crunch? How a Caregiver in Annandale Can Help
If you feel like almost everyone in the Annandale area is acting as a caregiver for a loved one in some way, you aren't wrong. The U.S. population as a whole is aging, with the youngest members of the Baby Boomer generation set to hit retirement age in the next 10 years or so. By the year 2060, an estimated 98.6 million Americans will be over the age of 65, and more than 19 million of them will be over 85 years old. That's more people than ever before who may need regular assistance from family members and care providers.
What Is the Caregiving Crunch and How Did It Happen?
Whether they're aware of this national demographic shift, families in Annandale are already starting to feel the effects of a "caregiving crunch." The term refers to the growing need for caregivers to support America's older adults, and it's not just because we have the largest elderly population to date. Other factors are putting more pressure on family and outside senior care providers, including longer life expectancies and higher rates of people living on their own.
So not only are there more seniors who may require care now or in the future, but they could also need senior care for a longer period of time. While it is of course a gift that our loved ones in Annandale are living longer, that means that family caregivers who may already feel drained will need to remain in this role indefinitely, and the demand for professional care will only continue to grow.
That, in a nutshell, is the caregiving crunch.
How Our Caregivers Can Help Families in Annandale
As much as you love your aging parents or other elderly relatives in Annandale, taking on a caregiver role can be incredibly difficult. Burnout and exhaustion are real risks, especially if you're juggling other responsibilities. Your relatives may also have specific medical or physical needs that you simply aren't trained to meet. A professional caregiver from Visiting Angels® Springfield VA can help take some of the weight off your shoulders, and ensure that your loved one receives the level of care they need.
Visiting Angels Springfield VA can set you up with a caregiver who is uniquely qualified to meet your loved one's needs. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation in Annandale, Burke, or Springfield.