Who Takes Care of the Caregiver?
A new AARP report finds that the annual value of unpaid familyC aregiving in Florida has climbed to an estimated $81 billion. According Jeff Johnson, AARP State Director, 4.3 million family Caregivers of adults contribute about 4.1 billion hours of care each year and, if paid, would amount to that $81 billion, based on $19.66 hourly rate.
The statistics tell us that the average family caregiver in Florida is 71, with the average age of care recipient is 69 years – and the report further explains that 98% of family caregivers care for an adult, with about 15% caring for a child with complex medical needs.
All of this begs the question, how can we best support caregivers in our community? At the Helping Seniors non-profit, we are all about trying to find a way to help our Seniors and our Caregivers – who often face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout due to chronic stress.
Our free call Senior Information Helpline (321-473-7770) handles more 4,500 calls each year and, often, those calls are all about finding resources and ideas that can help a caregiver cope with the relentless task that family Caregivers find themselves confronting. By working diligently to catalog and understand the many area programs and resources available in our area, Helping Seniors exists to navigate Caregivers to solutions that will keep it all moving for them while helping them manage the stress and hardships that Caregiving can bring.
Additionally, our Semi-Annual Caregivers Workshop, is a symposium of Caregiving experts and family Caregivers coming together to talk together and find reasonable solutions to unreasonable situations. On November 19th, 2026, Helping Seniors hosts the next edition of the popular event at the Senior Resource Center of Brevard, located at 1344 S Apollo Blvd, 2nd Floor, Melbourne Florida.
This free 4-hour conference (lunch is included) is moderated by Jennifer Barton, Seniors Helping Seniors owner, who not only hires Seniors to help Seniors, but has extensive personal family Caregiving experience. She is joined by Case Managers, Home Health experts, Legal and financial experts as well as medical professionals, and these panelists foster a discussion with Caregivers in the room to work out ideas and directions that give Caregivers more tools and insight for their individual journeys with their family members.
Comments from the July session from attendees recorded how refreshing and helpful the conference was to help them (1) avoiding burnout and preserving their own health; (2) finding practical tools and strategies for everyday Caregiving; and (3) learning of community resources and team-building so Caregivers don’t have to face their daunting assignments alone.
The session is free-of-charge, but limited to 50 participants to foster best discussion in the room – so please call 321-473-7770 to RSVP and/or visit HelpingSeniorsofBrevard.org for information/registation. Let’s be successful in our efforts of Caregiving – see you there!