AARP data show more than 1 million Hoosiers have roles as family caregivers. The unpaid workers contribute about 860 million hours of work each year and are increasingly filling the roles of medical professionals.

If the workers were paid around $19 an hour, their labor would be valued at more than $16.1 billion. Nationally, the amount is more than $1 trillion.

Myechia Minter-Jordan, CEO of AARP, called family caregivers the "backbone of the nation's long-term care system."

"That is equal to nearly 24 million full-time workers, or roughly 17% of the entire U.S. full-time workforce," Minter-Jordan reported. "Caregivers are stretching their finances, sacrificing their own well-being, and too often they are doing it alone."

AARP pointed out the labor of unpaid family caregivers provides a significant public benefit by providing savings for taxpayers.

In a virtual news conference last week, Minter-Jordan stressed federal, state, and local officials need to provide more services to help family caregivers. She noted the report lays out steps lawmakers need to take to support caregivers.

"We are advocating for bold solutions, including a national paid family and medical leave policy, greater respite services and resources, such as those now offered in several states, and state and federal legislation that can bring overdue financial relief," Minter-Jordan outlined.

AARP highlighted resources family caregivers in Indiana are able to access. The Family and Social Services Agency connects residents with local health care and community resources to help with aging residents, including food assistance, job training, mental health resources, public health insurance plans and more. INConnect Alliance offers support for caregivers of patients 55 and older and individuals with disabilities.

Source: Public News Service