Aging in Our Community A Message from W. Mark Clark, President and CEO
Honoring Diverse Caregivers November is National Family Caregivers Month - a time to celebrate the contributions of the more than 65 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to family or friends who are chronically ill, disabled, or aging. In recognition of caregivers in our community, PCOA is providing additional support and resources (read more on pages 10-11). We’re also reflecting on who our community’s caregivers are, and how we can better serve them in ways that are culturally relevant and meaningful to them. Caregiving research and media portrayals have historically centered around white caregivers – primarily white, middle-aged, middle-class women. As a result, many people who don’t meet this description may not see their familial or cultural reality reflected in mainstream caregiving services, and may be less inclined to use them or find them less useful. Currently, nearly 40% of caregivers nationwide identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), according to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. Within each BIPOC racial/ethnic group, the rates of caregiving are higher than in white demographics. While BIPOC caregivers tend to receive more support from family and friends than do white caregivers, they
also face different challenges. On average, BIPOC caregivers have lower socioeconomic status and are younger. They are also more likely to experience poor physical health, according to a Blue Cross Blue Shield 2020 study. Studies have also found that Black and Hispanic caregivers often feel ignored in medical settings and left out of crucial care discussions by staff. And Asian-American caregivers don’t use professional support services as often as others, likely because of limited culturally relevant services. While most caregivers feel as though caregiving is the right thing to do, BIPOC individuals often see it as an expected part of life that each generation does at some point. For many, there’s no decision to be made about whether to be a caregiver – it is just a role they assume without much conscious thought. In some cultures, the role of caregiving is based on gender and birth order. While white people tend to take on the caregiving role due to feelings of personal responsibility, caregiving is a cultural expectation in many BIPOC communities and families. It's clear that a one-size-fits-all approach to supporting family caregivers will not be effective in meeting the varying needs of our diverse community. PCOA is currently working with a consulting group to further our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity
and Accessibility (IDEA) work in a number of areas, including developing strategies to adapt services to not only be more accessible to BIPOC communities, but to specifically meet their needs. We know we have significant work to do to in this area and are committed to providing services that give every caregiver the support and resources they need for their own wellbeing and that of the person they care for. Being a family caregiver can be difficult in the best of circumstances, and these past couple of years have been especially challenging. This National Family Caregivers Month, we extend our deepest respect and gratitude to all the caregivers of our community. Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. In Service,
W. Mark Clark President & CEO
November 2021, Never Too Late | Page 3
Pima Council on Aging
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