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Symposium

Social Research, Policy, and Practice

Valuing and Supporting the Invisible Workforce of Family Caregivers

Thursday, November 9, 2023
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
Location: Room 417

The 2023 update to the Valuing the Invaluable series estimates the economic value of unpaid, family caregiving in America was $600 billion in 2021. This estimate continues a 25-year trend of increasing economic value for family caregiving, which fills an essential role in the fractured LTSS system. This work also details the diversity of family caregivers and their care experiences, the challenges that caregivers face juggling care with work and child care, and the impact of direct care worker shortages on family caregivers. This symposium showcases the national and state estimates of the economic value of caregiving, details who caregivers are today, what challenges they face, and what policies and practices can support and recognize them and the vital care they provide. Presenter 1 shares an overview of the methodology used in this report and the national and state estimates of the economic value of caregiving. Presenter 2 discusses the increasing generational, racial and ethnic, and sexual identity and orientation diversity of family caregivers today and the challenges specific to different communities of caregivers. Presenter 3 highlights promising policies and practices to support caregivers and details recommendations for building on those promising policies and practices.

This is a Family Caregiving Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Learning Objectives:

  • After attending this session, participants will be able to describe the contributions of family caregivers, identify the economic value of caregiving, and will understand the methodology for estimating that economic value.
  • After attending this session, participants will be able to describe the diversity of caregiving experiences and the distinctive challenges facing different communities of family caregivers.
  • After attending this session, participants will be able to understand strategies to improve recognition and support of family caregivers through policy and practice.

Presentations:

  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
    Estimating the Economic Value of Family Caregiving at a National and State Level

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Selena Caldera, MPP (she/her/hers) – AARP

  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
    If You Know One Caregiver, You Know One Caregiver: Understanding the Diversity of US Caregiving Experiences

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Rita B. Choula, MA (she/her/hers) – AARP

  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
    Promising Policy and Practice Supporting Family Caregivers and Recommendations for the Future

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Susan C. Reinhard, PhD, MSN – AARP