Caregivers Count: A Survey of the Economic Downturn in California and its Impact on Family Caregiving

Caregivers Count is an important new survey being conducted to collect, analyze and report to policy makers, media and service providers the experience of caregiving families in California during this time of economic recession and state budget crisis.

Caregivers Count is a grassroots effort to capture changes in your caregiving situation: Have you had a change in your job? Have you used more of your financial resources on caregiving expenses? Are you experiencing more stress? Are services in the community still there for you?

Don’t let budget and policy decisions about funding for services and policies that help working caregivers be made in the state capitol without your voice being heard. We know that caregivers are very busy and stressed juggling jobs, families and caregiving responsibilities. But we ask that you spend 5 minutes to let us know how you are doing so we can be better advocates for you.

We are conducting this survey online so we can capture this information in “real time” – as it is happening so we can use your collective voice to tell the story of how caregiving families are being hurt in this economic downturn and by the cuts in supportive services for you and your relative or friend. We have a section where you can tell us your story in your own words too.

Also added is a voluntary section for contact information so we can continue to keep you posted of changes in funding for services, let you know of advocacy activities and send an update of survey results.

We thank you in advance for taking the time today to share your experiences.

This survey is being conducted by Family Caregiver Alliance in collaboration with the California Coalition for Caregivers. Available on www.caregiver.org until February 15, 2010. Make your voice heard.

Caregivers Count!

State

Please enter your zip code: *

Gender: FemaleMale

Children in Household: YesNo

In the last 12 months, have you provided unpaid care to a sick, frail or disabled relative or friend 18 years or older to help them take care of themselves? Unpaid care may include help with personal needs or household chores. It might be managing a person's finances, arranging for outside services, or visiting regularly to see how they are doing. This person need not live with you. YesNo

Have you provided help to your relative or friend with any of the following tasks: get in and out of beds or chairs; get dressed; get to and from the toilet; bathe or shower; deal with incontinence or diapers; or by feeding them? YesNo

Have you provided help to your relative or friend with any of these tasks: giving medicines, pills, or injections; managing finances; grocery shopping; housework; preparing meals; transportation; or arranging or supervising services to an agency? YesNo

Were you employed at any time during the last 12 months while you were caring for your relative or friend? YesNo

Has the economic downturn over the past 12 months caused any change in the...

amount of money you spend on caring for your relative or friend? YesNo

amount of care that you provide to your friend or relative? YesNo

overall quality of care that your friend or relative gets from the people who care for him/her? YesNo

amount of stress you feel about being able to care for your loved one? YesNo

Because of the economic downturn over the past 12 months, have...

you and the friend or relative you're caring for moved in together? YesNo

services or outside help for your relative or friend been cut back? YesNo

you been unable to sell your relative or friend's home as you had planned? YesNo

you been unable to place your relative or friend into a nursing home or assisted living facility as you had planned? YesNo

Before the economic downturn, did you help pay for your relative or friend's basic necessities, like food, utilities, and housing? YesNo

Before the economic downturn, did you help pay for your relative or friend's medical or care-related expenses, like in-home help? YesNo

Do you now help pay for your relative or friend's basic necessities, like food, utilities, and housing? YesNo

Do you now help pay for your relative or friend's medical or care-related expenses, like in-home help? YesNo

Do you have any comments?

I would be interested in receiving more information on: Advocacy activities
California budget and policies affecting family caregivers
Media interview opportunities
Paid Family Leave
No, I'm not interested in any of these

Name

E-mail:

Phone number:

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This survey has been slightly modified from the survey that Evercare and National Alliance for Caregiving developed/conducted. We would like to thank the Evercare and the National Alliance for Caregiving for their generosity and assistance in helping us make California's caregivers count.