Based on demographic trends, Kentucky needs to plan for a great increase in caregiving. According to the 2018 Census Data population estimates, 16.4% of Kentucky’s population is 65+ years old and by 2040 it is predicted that 21.9% of the Commonwealth’s population will be 65 years old or older (Zimmerman, 2019). Today, over half of Kentucky’s older adults report living with a disability. In addition, there is a growing need for dementia caregiving in Kentucky and throughout the United Sates. Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care; when residing with those who need care, some families spend more than 40.5 hours/week on care (National Caregiver Alliance, 2019).  Approximately 34.2 caregivers across the nation have provided care services for an adult in the last year (National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 2015). The 2013 estimated economic value of such care added up to more than $470 billion (AARP Public Policy Institute, 2015). The average duration of a caregiver’s role is 4 years (National Caregiver Alliance, 2019). With they physical, emotional and time demands associated with caregiving, both personal and professional lives are affected.

AARP recognizes that caregiving is one of the most important roles a person will ever hold.  The caregiving journey can be as simple as helping someone run errands or taking them to doctor appointments and it can be as involved as taking time away from work and family to provide full time care that includes paying bills, meal preparation and physical care.  As a result, AARP created Prepare to Care: A Resource Guide for Families, to help make caregiving more manageable.  The guide emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, rather than waiting for a crisis, as a way to optimize both individual and family preparedness in regards to mental, physical, and financial care.  Recognizing that conversations about care can be challenging, the resource guide includes tips for starting necessary conversations in addition to information and checklists about organizing important documents, assessing need and locating resources.  It is important to remember that “it is never too early or too late to help your family ‘Prepare to Care’” (AARP, 2012).

To examine the effectiveness and feasibility of the AARP caregiver preparation program, Prepare to Care, Grayson County offered the program to 18 participants. Of these, 15 turned in lesson surveys (but not completely filled out).   Seven (7) participants reported that they did NOT have a caregiving plan and 6 participants reported that they do not feel prepared to be a caregiver. Prior to the program, one participant reported that he/she felt “not at all” prepared to discuss care arrangements with a loved one; 8 felt “somewhat” prepared and 5 felt “extremely” prepared. As a result of the program, 13 participants reported increased understanding regarding the importance of having a caregiver plan and 14 participants reported being “somewhat” to “extremely” willing to discuss a plan with a family member or friend. A valuable program, participants learned:

• The importance of communication
• Empathy/compassion
• Making a plan
• Follow the checklists
• Take care of self
• Don’t control
• Listen 
• Be Flexible
• Money will be important