Caregiving and Family Economics

Approximately 66 million Americans serve as unpaid family caregivers.  Not only do most caregivers underestimate the physical and emotional challenges of caregiving, the majority also fail to realize what a significant financial impact caregiving will have on their families.  While only 40 percent of caregivers anticipate contributing to cover costs of caregiving, 83 percent will end up doing so.  Obviously this leaves most families unprepared for the financial stress caregiving brings.

Caregiving Expenses on the Rise

According to a study that researched the financial impact of family caregiving, the out-of-pocket expenses for caring for an aging parent or spouse averages $5,531 each year.  This number is more than double previous estimates and is greater than the average American household spends on health care and entertainment combined.

The financial study also revealed:

·         63 percent of caregivers experience a reduction of income, although only 38 percent expected such a loss.   
·         74 percent of caregivers have either had to change jobs or are not working at all.
·         49 percent say their finances have gotten worse since becoming caregivers.

Many caregivers are forced to decrease their hours at work or turn down promotions in order to keep up with caregiving responsibilities.  One study from 1999 discovered that each caregiver has the potential to lose more than $650,000 in wages, Social Security and pension.  Such lost wages and missed opportunities result in smaller retirement funds and inability to finance home maintenance.  Fortunately, home care systems make it possible for families to put a stop to financial strain.

Home Care Eases Financial Burden

If you are a family caregiver, you may feel as if you have no choice but to continue on as you are.  The truth is that you do have a choice.  Home care systems have been designed with you in mind.  ClearCare has developed the most sophisticated home care system in the industry and is more affordable than you may think.

Rather than dipping into your personal savings to cover costs, consider how home care can save you money.  Countless family caregivers are integrating a dependable home care system into their lives and providing reliable care for their loved ones at a cost considerably less than paying out-of-pocket.  Call ClearCare to find out how your family can save time and money today.

The Challenges of Family Caregiving

More than 44 million individuals provide care to one or more family members.  Although there have always been caregivers, today’s family members face more struggles than any other time in history.  Seniors are living longer – but unfortunately face more health problems.  A MetLife Juggling Act Study, “Balancing Caregiving with Work and the Costs of Caregiving,”  reports that the majority of caregivers underestimate the time they will spend as family caregivers, thinking it will be two years or less.  The reality is that the average length of time spent providing care is eight years.  Understandably, this affects the caregiver and her family in a variety of negative ways.

Pam Plencer of Johnsburg, Illinois, the primary caregiver for her mother reports, “I’m always tired.  A lot of nights I can’t fall asleep because I’m thinking about the events of the day.”  Pam adds, “Caregiving has probably affected my sleep and my immune system.”  Research proves that Pam is unmistakably correct.  Caregiving is one of the most stressful jobs a person can have – both physically and emotionally.  Without the assistance of a professional caregiver and reliable home care system, many caregivers end up burning out.

The Price to Pay

The family caregiver wears many hats.  She is likely a wife, mother, caretaker and employee.  She may be called upon to act as nurse, teacher, chauffeur and psychologist – all in the space of a single day.  These responsibilities can easily become overwhelming.

According to Suzanne Geffen Mintz, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association, “One of the biggest problems family caregivers experience is depression.  They have a much higher rate of depression.”  Studies show at least 61 percent of family caregivers suffer from depression.

The Struggles Caregivers Face

Caregiving is time-consuming as well as emotionally exhausting.  Unless caregivers turn to home care software for help, the struggles only get worse with time.  Research shows that caregivers regularly experience:

·         Increased risk of heart disease and other illnesses
·         Feelings of loneliness and isolation
·         Stress and anxiety
·         Social withdrawal
·         Family arguments
·         Poor secular performance
·         Strained marriages
·         Exhaustion and insomnia
·         Burnout

Experts agree taking time for oneself is essential to maintaining good health, but for family caregivers, spare time is unheard of.  Enter ClearCare’s home care system.  The ground-breaking technology provided by ClearCare is an answer to every caregiver’s prayer.

Working with a reliable agency that provides time-saving home care software gives caregivers time they desperately need.  Family caregivers remain completely involved in their loved one’s care but now there is a balance of care.

Instead of living only for their elderly parents, ClearCare allows family caregivers the freedom to live life.  Depending on sophisticated home care software program gives caregivers the break they’ve been waiting for.

Managing Your Caregivers with Homecare Systems

Home health agency administrators are responsible for numerous different tasks on a daily basis.  An agency supervisor may be in charge of recruiting caregivers, screening and checking backgrounds, the hiring process and scheduling – just to name a few.  Thankfully, homecare systems are designed to help agencies more effectively manage their caregiver pool.

Homecare systems, such as ClearCare, are affordable and easy-to-use tools for managing caregivers from hiring to firing.  A reliable homecare system assists agency administrators with communication, supervision, scheduling, client/caregiving compatibility, and much more.

Organization

Homecare systems keep your agency’s sensitive information in one safe place.  No longer will you have to fill countless filing cabinets with client information, caregiver contact details and agency procedures.  A competent homecare system like ClearCare gives you a secure way to store your entire’s agency information – accessible 24/7 from any computer or mobile device.

Scheduling

Coordinating schedules and finding appropriate caregivers is easier than ever before.  Your ClearCare homecare system is designed with you mind; your agency’s individual needs come first.  Your clients will be more satisfied with your services thanks to ClearCare’s client/caregiver compatibility matching.  This feature saves you time and effort manually trying to determine which caregivers are right for which clients.  You will always know when caregivers need time off or are unavailable for certain shifts thanks to the reliability of ClearCare’s homecare system.

Payroll

Homecare systems are now the number one solution for administrative duties such as processing payroll and billing.  Easily and quickly review shifts and seamlessly export the information to QuickBooks.  Your invoices and payroll stubs will be completely itemized and accurate, saving you considerable time.  If shifts require editing, this is as simple as the touch of a button.  No longer will agency administrators have to worry about paging through messy “paper journals” in order to input shift details.  The accounting capabilities ClearCare has to offer are user-friendly as well as sophisticated.

The top-notch capabilities homecare systems provide give home health agencies one integrated, fully functional program that helps effectively manage caregivers and other administrative responsibilities.  ClearCare’s homecare software is designed to meet your agency’s specific needs and goals, so please get in touch with one of our helpful representatives today.

Homecare Software Helps Seniors Fight Cancer at Home

More than 50 percent of cancers are diagnosed in seniors over the age of 65.  Although cancer is the second leading cause of death among the elderly, recent years have seen a small decline in the number of cancer deaths.  According to Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, author of A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, cancer deaths are decreasing because of three factors: prevention, early detection, and proper treatment.  Thanks to homecare software such as ClearCare, more cancer patients are able to treat their disease from the comfort of their own home.  Many patients agree that staying at home has helped them maintain a more positive outlook and a healthier lifestyle overall.

ClearCare is happy to help cancer patients maintain their independence by offering the most innovative homecare system on the market.  A reliable homecare system benefits cancer patients and their families in numerous ways, including:

·         Detailed daily itineraries available for viewing 24/7
·         Immediate alerts for family members
·         Dependable medication management
·         Doctor appointment reminders
·         Clear communication between client, caregiver, doctors and family

Taking advantage of ClearCare’s outstanding homecare system gives caregivers the simplest way to track patient care and treatment.  Cancer patients need careful monitoring, which is nearly effortless with ClearCare’s quality homecare software.  Caregivers using such software can take note of the cancer patient’s daily activities, treatment progress, medication side effects and other essential health details.  Such competent supervision eases the burden of care for family members who are then in a better position to provide comfort to the cancer patient.

Research shows that seniors with cancer who live at home fare much better than those who receive treatment in a care facility.  ClearCare’s ground-breaking homecare system makes homecare easier than ever before.  Relying on a competent homecare agency allows families to stay more organized – which is extremely important in the event of an emergency.  Caregivers will always be able to get in touch with family members, doctors, and other health professionals whenever necessary.

Coping with cancer at home may be challenging, but with ClearCare’s helpful homecare software the journey will be much smoother.