A new AARP survey shows 85% of older Oregonians want to remain in their homes as long as they can. But the reality is many need help to make that possible. Half of the survey's respondents said they provided unpaid care for a loved one.
Jon Batholomew with Oregon AARP says this is demanding work. "Oregon has ranked very poorly when it comes to caregiver stress and that's something we're very concerned about. 50 perent of those 45 or older have provided unpaid care to a loved one and that can range from shopping and transportation to medication managment or wound care."
Family caregivers in Oregon provide $5 billion in unpaid care annually. AARP hopes to help better prepare people to provide this care and to help with respite care for these caregivers.