RALEIGH, N.C. — AARP is highlighting the importance of family caregivers in North Carolina. A recent report by the advocacy group finds that in 2021, unpaid care provided by the more than 1.2 million family caregivers in the state is valued at $16.5 billion.

What You Need To Know

  • AARP came out with a new report in its “Valuing the Invaluable” series, spotlighting family caregivers and their experiences

  • The report documents the increasing economic, physical and emotional costs of caregiving 

  • AARP said the typical turnover rate for family caregivers is 40% to 60% each year

One Raleigh caregiver, Jon Lee, said he works a full-time job on top of caring for his father. 

Lee is a financial adviser. He takes time talking and visiting with clients, while spending hours on the phone with providers, doctors and insurance companies to help care for his father. It’s a juggling act that can be frustrating. 

“I try to plan my day, it’s very much a situation of if it's not on my calendar, it’s not likely to happen,” he said.

A recent AARP study found 61% of family caregivers of adults worked either full time or part time in 2019, with most of them providing care hours that are equal to a part-time job.

“At least two to five hours a week, starting in August of last year, and it’s ramped up I would say on a light week around 20, on a heavy week around 40 hours per week now. And that would be for me and my wife, who also helps tremendously,” Lee said. 

Direct care workforce shortages, exacerbated during the pandemic, also have resulted in more hours of care and a higher intensity of care by family caregivers. 

Lee said each family caregiver has their own struggles, whether physically, emotionally or financially. But he said that no matter how exhausting it can be, he’s going to be right by his father’s side. 

“A lot of people say that your parents are lucky to have you. I always say I feel like I’m lucky to have y’all,” Lee said.

To learn more about the report, visit the AARP website.