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Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

2006

Healthcare

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Informal Caregiving, Julie Ann Scott, University Of Maine Center On Aging Sep 2006

Informal Caregiving, Julie Ann Scott, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

With advances in medicine and nutrition resulting in longevity comes increased risk of debilitating diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Although trained professionals can provide care to these individuals, simple aspects of care may be provided by family members or friends. There are now over 52.4 million informal caregivers in the United States. Although informal caregiving comes with personal rewards, it also has emotional, physical, and financial challenges. This role is underappreciated, yet is crucial to society. Sixty-five percent of older individuals with long-term care needs rely exclusively on family and friends for assistance. The economic …


Meeting Maine’S Need For Frontline Workers In Long-Term Care And Service Options, Lisa Pohlmann, Maine Center For Economic Policy Sep 2006

Meeting Maine’S Need For Frontline Workers In Long-Term Care And Service Options, Lisa Pohlmann, Maine Center For Economic Policy

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Thousands of workers across Maine and the nation provide assistance and health care for elders as well as adults and children with disabilities. The Maine Department of Labor estimates that there were about 17,600 direct care workers employed in 2005, which does not include self-employed workers in private pay arrangements. As baby boomers retire over the next 20 years, the demand for direct care and personal assistance services will continue to grow, making direct care occupations some of the highest demand jobs in the state. There is already a labor shortage in this area of work, and thus long-term consumers …