Caring for Caregivers: A Key to Improving Member Outcomes

Taking on the role of caregiver for a loved one—whether it’s a slow transition or a sudden change—isn’t for the faint of heart. From coordinating care and ensuring loved ones take their medications correctly to providing support in every other way, caregiving is often a time-consuming, stressful, and emotionally draining process that can impact every aspect of a caregiver’s life.

With an aging baby boomer population now in their 60s and 70s and more older adults choosing to age in place, it’s no surprise that caregiving is on the rise. An estimated 53 million individuals are caregivers, up from 43.5 million in 2015.

While caregivers are often overlooked, they can provide an important perspective on what members need and are a critical part of the care team.

“Caregivers have a unique role to play in driving better outcomes, but we must do a better job at understanding their individual needs and providing the right support,” according to Ankur Bharija, MD , a Board Certified Geriatrician and Palliative Medicine specialist, currently a Medical Director for Post Acute Care and Palliative Support at CareCentrix.

Caregivers in Crisis

Among caregivers in the United States, nearly 1 in 5 provide unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs. Not only are caregivers unpaid, but the amount of time they spend caregiving is equivalent to a part-time job. In 2023, caregivers devoted an average of 26 hours per week providing care, up from 9 hours just three years earlier.

Many of these caregivers are among the sandwich generation—those who have parents over age 65 and are either raising a child under 18 or providing financial support to an adult child.

Much of a caregiver’s responsibilities are often related to care coordination, such as finding the right providers and services, or scheduling and bringing their loved ones to medical appointments. They may also be tasked with ensuring members take their medications correctly or performing basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs).

“They have to learn chronic disease management and are essentially acting as the nurse at home—coordinating with the providers to manage conditions and prevent an escalation and Emergency Department visit or unplanned hospital admission,” Bharija said.

The stress of caregiving can also take a toll on their physical, mental, and emotional health. And with so little time, caregivers may put their own healthcare needs on the back burner.

Nearly 40% of caregivers have two or more chronic diseases, and more than half (57%) experience clinically significant levels of stress, anxiety, or depression.

Those caring for someone with a serious illness—an estimated 12 million adults—have even greater needs. They likely need education on caregiving and effective communication with providers but are dealing with significant challenges related to their own stress and limited time. More than half of caregivers rely on healthcare professionals for information about providing care, yet only 29% have conversations about what’s needed to care for their loved one, or what’s needed to support their own well-being (13%).

This is where additional in-home care support can play a crucial role in helping caregivers and their loved ones manage these challenges effectively. Access to a care team that provides resources and guidance becomes essential, as caregivers may not always know how to balance their roles or seek help when needed.

“We have seen that when social workers are in the home, they provide caregivers with anticipatory guidance, help them process the grief of their loved one’s decline, significantly reduce their anxiety and level of distress, and help them adjust as new changes occur,” according to Bharija. “When caregivers are empowered to care for themselves, they’re better able to care for their loved ones, and we see outcomes improve.”

Early, Ongoing Engagement to Prevent Readmissions

When members—especially older adults—return home after a hospital stay, caregivers can play a critical role in closing care gaps and preventing unnecessary readmissions. Once at home, members may experience changes to their functional and cognitive status, and they often have healthcare questions, and new durable medical equipment (DME) and medication needs.

Providers may assume if a family member is involved, the member has a capable caregiver in place. This is not always the case, and even if they do, many caregivers are ill-prepared. A survey by Medisafe found that 53% of caregivers said managing a loved one’s medication regimen was their top burden. Without the right information and support, care gaps can occur.

16% of readmissions are medication-related, of which 40% are potentially preventable.

“Every care transition is a big event for members and their caregivers, and there will always be new needs,” according to Bharija. “We must take a step back, engage with members and caregivers to identify their unique needs, and provide the right support at the right time, which ultimately requires a multidisciplinary approach.”

?As payors shift toward more whole-person, home-based care models, recognizing and supporting caregivers will be critical to ensure members receive the best possible care. By embracing solutions that ease the caregiver’s burden and provide them with the tools, education, and support they need, not only can we enhance member outcomes but also safeguard the well-being of caregivers.

How CareCentrix and Walgreens Support Caregivers

CareCentrix, together with Walgreens, is uniquely positioned to provide solutions that engage members and their caregivers, reduce unnecessary readmissions, and drive better outcomes.

Medication Adherence Solutions

Walgreens medication adherence solutions combine self-serve digital tools and personalized pharmacy support to remove barriers and improve outcomes. Our patient-centered approach allows members to engage with pharmacists on their schedule, access easy refill coordination, home delivery, and more—all designed to make healthcare interactions more convenient and impactful for patients and caregivers alike.

Post Acute Care

Through CareCentrix’s Post Acute Care Site Optimization solution, we engage with members early on in their journey from hospital to home, identifying clinical and non-clinical needs and ensuring the right services and support are in place, easing the burden on their caregivers as the member transitions home.

Our Post Acute Care Readmissions Management solution is designed to close care gaps during transitions of care, with a multidisciplinary care team providing a whole-person approach that addresses both clinical and social aspects of care to provide the best possible outcomes for recovery and prevent avoidable hospital readmissions.

DME

With DME Navigator, we streamline the ordering, distribution, and fulfillment of DME, ensuring members receive the right equipment at the right time. By providing complete transparency from ordering through delivery and enhancing efficiency, members and their caregivers are at ease knowing they have everything they need.

Palliative Support

CareCentrix’s Palliative Support program offers support with technology to uncover, address, and monitor many of the unmet medical and social needs of seriously ill members. The program leverages specially trained palliative nurses and social workers who provide psychosocial support for caregivers who are caring for individuals with serious illnesses. The team also coordinates with treating providers to ensure transparent communications.

Download our new eBook “Moving Palliative Care From The Hospital To Home” to learn more about how palliative care at home can support members and their caregivers.