Baby Boomers Already Placing Strain on Caregiver Resources; Burden in LA County Expected to Increase

For Immediate Release:
February 25, 2010

Baby Boomers Already Placing Strain on Caregiver Resources
Burden in LA County Expected to Increase

LOS ANGELES - As large numbers of local baby boomers pass age 65, the
demand on informal caregivers, which is already high, will further
impact the physical, mental, and economic health of community members
across Los Angeles County, according to a report released today by the
Department of Public Health.

"More than 1.2 million people in Los Angeles County today provide
care to a family member or another adult in need," said Jonathan E.
Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer.
"Unpaid care takes a toll on the health and well-being of local
individuals and families, and has a major economic impact not only on
these families, but on local businesses, the workforce, and society as a
whole."

More than two-thirds of caregivers in LA County reported caring for
someone 65 years of age or older. As the Baby Boomer generation (those
born between 1946 and 1964) ages, the number of informal caregivers in
LA County is expected to rise dramatically. The risk for chronic disease
increases with age, resulting in a growing need for assistance with
activities of daily living among persons with long-term illnesses such
as late-stage diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer's
disease.

"In light of recent cuts to senior services, these new data
underscore the importance of prevention efforts to lessen the impact,
both physical and financial, of chronic disease risk in our
community," said June Simmons, CEO of Partners in Care Foundation.
"This report also stresses the need to make community-based chronic
disease management as well as caregiving services and resources
available to all."

Informal caregiving includes a range of activities, such as assisting
with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living, helping with
medication and visits to the doctor, managing finances, and providing
emotional support. According to the report, LA Health - Informal
Caregiving: Implications for Public Health, almost one in seven adults
in Los Angeles County reported providing this type of care during the
past month to a relative or an adult who is aging or has a long-term
illness, chronic condition, or disability. One-quarter of informal
caregivers in LA County spent 20 hours or more per week providing unpaid
care to someone who needs help in addition to working full time.

Nationally, informal care, if paid for, would cost $375 billion per
year, amounting to about 2.7 percent of the US total GDP for 2007. These
costs do not include the estimated $17 billion in lost

-MORE-
productivity to businesses due to workplace disruptions, absences,
reduction of full-time to part-time hours, and leaving work to be a
caregiver. Informal caregivers provide about 80 percent of all long-term
care services in the United States.

Resources for caregivers seeking help or support are listed in the
report, and include the Los Angeles County Department of Community and
Senior Services, the City of Los Angeles Department of Aging, the
Alzheimer's Association, and the National Family Caregivers
Association (NFCA). To access the report, please visit:
www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ha.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and
improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles
County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and
services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control,
and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000
employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more
about Public Health and the work we do, please visit
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, visit our YouTube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter:
@LAPublicHealth.

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