Run to Remember

Did you know that care provided by millions of unpaid family caregivers across the U.S. is valued at a staggering, estimated $600 billion annually. An estimated 36 billion hours of care annually is provided by family caregivers for older parents, spouses, partners, and friends with chronic, disabling, and serious health conditions. This conservative estimate does not consider the financial cost of care (out-of-pocket and lost wages) or account for the complexity of care provided (i.e., medical/nursing tasks). According to AARP, Family caregivers fill an essential role in our fractured long-term services.  By the year 2034, adults ages 65 and older will outnumber children under the age of 18. Most caretakers are in the "sandwich generation", which means they are caring for both their parents and children, all while still working themselves. In 2019, roughly 30 percent of family caregivers of older Americans lived in a household that also included children or grandchildren.  Sixty-one percent of family caregivers work either full or part time. Working caregivers face financial risks such as lost income, reduced career opportunities and savings, and subsequently lower Social Security and retirement benefits.  Direct care workforce shortages, exacerbated during the pandemic, has resulted in more hours of care and higher-intensity care by family caregivers. This RESPITE Care fundraiser will help caregivers take a small break for a few hours while someone else provides the care their loved one needs.