New Study Shows Added Stress Caregivers Face During the Holiday Season, With Nearly Half Citing Financial Concerns

More than one in three Hispanic households includes a caregiver according to research conducted by Evercare and the National Alliance for Caregiving, and Hispanic caregivers report more intensive caregiving situations compared to the general population (63 percent compared to 51 percent). Qualitative research by AARP also shows that most Latinos don’t identify themselves as caregivers. Instead, as Evercare data notes, caring for an older parent or relative is seen as an expected cultural responsibility. This may lead them to be less likely to seek out resources or extra support to help with the role.

According to AARP’s research, the 42.1 million caregivers in the US provide an estimated $450 billion worth of unpaid care to aging relatives and friends. Many think that family caregivers are paid health professionals, providing full-time care to someone in need of daily help, when in reality, most caregivers are also working and managing their own families at the same time. This juggling of responsibilities can be highly stressful, putting caregivers at risk for depression, anxiety, immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease, and premature aging among other physiological consequences, as well as causing financial problems.

“I have been the primary caregiver for both my parents for many years,” said Amy Goyer, AARP’s Family and Caregiving expert. “I could not have done it without the support from my adoptive family at AARP. The resources and information they have provided me have not only allowed me to help my own family, but empowered me to reach out to the thousands of caregivers who are working alone. These new PSAs are a poignant reminder of the way that roles change, and how AARP is here to help.”

Created pro bono by advertising agency ALMA, the integrated PSAs feature identifiable scenes that highlight the changing roles that children play as they grow up to be caregivers for their own parents. Through the PSAs, caregivers are urged to visit aarp.org/caregiving and aarp.org/cuidar for tools and resources and to connect with experts and other caregivers in a supportive community.

“As Latinos, caring for our elders isn’t a choice – it’s an inherent cultural responsibility. It’s a big task to take on and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to work with the Ad Council and AARP, who provide support to so many generous caregivers. It’s important to remind them that they are not alone in their efforts,” said Luis Miguel Messianu, President and Chief Creative Officer of Alma.

“The new creative is moving and motivating and the PSAs include such a powerful message—while our relationships with our family members may change with time, the love and support remain and grow,” said Lisa Sherman, Ad Council CEO. “I’m looking forward to reaching caregivers throughout the country with this iteration of the campaign so we can get them the tools, resources and supportive community that they so deserve.”

AARP and the Ad Council commissioned the new nationwide online survey, conducted by Lightspeed Research, earlier this month among approximately 1,200 women ages 40 to 60. The survey also found:

• The largest percentage of both General Market (53%) and Hispanic caregivers (45%) said that not having enough money was the biggest source of stress for them during the holiday season.
• Other top holiday season concerns among general market and Hispanic audiences included trying to make the holidays meaningful (33%/27%), needing extra time to shop for gifts (30%/24%), and juggling work schedules with caregiving needs (27%/23%).
• Both General Market (44%) and Hispanic (51%) caregivers thought that having their family together was one of the top three things they looked forward to most during the holidays.

Since the initial launch in the fall of 2012, the Caregiver Assistance campaign has received over $72.4 million in donated media and AARP.org/caregiving has received more than 15 million visits. Per the Ad Council model, the new PSAs will air and run in advertising time and space donated by the media.

AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

The Ad Council
The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshaling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has affected, and continues to affect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives. To learn more about the Ad Council and its campaigns, visit Adcouncil.org, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or view our PSAs on YouTube.

ALMA
Founded in 1994, Alma is today the 7th largest Hispanic Agency (based on Ad Age's Hispanic Fact Pack.) Advertising Age named Alma the 2014 Multicultural Agency of the Year and included the agency on its "A-List" in 2012 and 2010. In 2013, Luis Miguel Messianu was named Diversity Trendsetter at the AAF Diversity Achievement Awards. The agency has won top industry awards including: Cannes Lions, Effies, Clios, D&AD, FIAP, Art Director's Club and El Sol. Long-standing clients include McDonald's, State Farm, Clorox, Tobacco Free Florida and Goodyear, among others. For more information, visit www.almaddb.com.

Media Contacts:
AARP, Nancy Thompson, 202-434-2667, [email protected]
Ad Council, Meg Rushton, 212-984-1996, [email protected]