How often do you hear someone say, “I’m not getting any younger”?
Technically, it’s true for all of us, but there is a very real concern about that here in New Mexico – because our state population is not only not getting any younger, it’s getting older faster than many states in America today.
The United States Census Bureau projects the number of New Mexicans living at ages 80 and older will grow 80.5 percent even and our younger population of residents who can take care of us as we grow older isn’t growing fast enough to keep up.
This is one of many issues addressed in New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department’s (ALTSD) recently unveiled State Plan for Family Caregivers. ALTSD Secretary Designate Myles Copeland will be presenting the plan in Las Cruces at New Mexico State University’s Pete V. Domenici Hall, 3014 McFie Circle, this Friday, November 13th from 9 to 11 a.m.
According to the state report, family caregivers perform a variety of tasks in response to the needs of care recipients. As the independence of a loved one decreases with age or illness, dependence upon outside supports, primarily family caregivers, increases.
In compiling the report, state government found the size of New Mexico’s family caregiver population is staggering. Annually, 419,000 New Mexicans provide unpaid care to adults with limitations in daily activities, such as mobility, self-feeding, and dressing, with 287,000 providing care at any given time during the year. These caregivers include friends and neighbors as well as relatives.
Approximately one in five New Mexicans serve as a family caregiver during any given year. According to the report, family caregivers provide 18.4 hours of care per week with the total economic value of this care being estimated to be $3.1 billion dollars annually.
While those numbers weigh heavy, so does the very act of caregiving itself. Family caregivers suffer negative impacts to their physical, psychological and financial well-being, and they typically arrive at their responsibilities without preparation, not knowing what assistance is available or how to get it.
“We want family caregivers to know they are not alone. There is a strategic plan in place that is built on what caregivers themselves say they need, and this forum Friday in Las Cruces is an opportunity to hear and further inform that plan,” said Secretary Designate Copeland. “Among our goals is to increase access to resources that make life a little easier for family caregivers.
The New Mexico State Plan for Family Caregivers contains strategies to reach seven goals to ease the burden on caregivers. In addition to increasing access to resources, other goals include increased training and improving coordination of care.
As part of the plan, family caregivers can now call the Aging and Long-Term Services Department’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Caregivers’ needs will be assessed, they will receive benefits counseling and be linked to community resources. The ADRC can be reached at 1-800-432-2080 during normal business hours.
To view the New Mexico State Plan for Family Caregivers, visit www.nmaging.state.nm.us or click here.