Report shows Ohio caregivers experiencing stress, financial struggles

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A new study from AARP Ohio shows many Ohioans who are caring for aging parents and other adults are struggling financially.  

Brian O’Rourke with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio noted that one out four Ohioans identify as family caregivers and most of them are doing the work without pay. 

“That’s just additional stress and strain that can just contribute to that overall pressure,” O’Rourke said. “It can take people out of the workforce. And that’s when you look to the next level of, you know, potential stresses on our state economy, if people are leaving the workforce.”   

According to the report, 93% of Ohio caregivers have spent their own money to provide care, groceries, housing costs, and medicine. Seven in 10 caregivers also experienced at least one financial hardship, such as taking on more debt or leaving bills unpaid.   

“A major reason why there are so many informal family caregivers is that it’s really hard to find and hire like a home health aide,” O’Rourke said. “Ohio is really lagging behind a lot of other states in our home health workforce. We have about nine home health workers per 1000 population.”   

O’Rourke shared that family members can get paid through programs like Medicaid, but usually it’s an informal caregiving category many people find themselves in. Nearly two-thirds of caregivers are trying to balance their job and family, and 47% say they are strained. He explained that it’s on policy makers to develop meaningful solutions.   

“There is a bipartisan bill in the Ohio house that is essentially working to create a study commission to identify some solutions,” O’Rourke said. “I think anything that can boost, you know, wages and recruitment into the field, I think it really does.”   

If you would like to read the full report, click here.