In a recent study, Louisiana ranks among the worst states for meeting the need for individual caregivers. These are people who provide needed care for the sick, elderly or infirm. Sean Marchese is a registered nurse and oncology writer/researcher who says the first identifiable problem is that average pay for caregivers in Louisiana is the nation’s lowest; less than $11 an hour. He says a great number don’t get paid at all.
“In 2020 the AARP reported 53 million Americans are currently unpaid caregivers. That’s about one if five people who are providing care to a child or an adult with special needs sometime within the past year,” Marchese said.
Marchese said there is a very high turnover in the caregiver “industry” because it is a physically and emotionally difficult job.
“About 23% of those family caregivers said it’s made their own health worse. So it’s degrading their own health taking care of loved ones. That’s marked by the fact that about 61% of family caregivers are also working,” Marchese said.
Marchese adds that another reason for a shortage of caregivers in Louisiana is the impact of the coronavirus and isolation.
“They’ve been missing care when caregivers can’t enter due to an increased risk. Depending on the areas with higher spikes in cases or lower vaccine rates, we’re seeing people not get the home health care they need,” Marchese said.