Charlottesville Tomorrow - Have you suddenly found yourself in the role of family caregiver to an adult with health or functional needs? It can happen suddenly, and even if it’s just temporary, it can bring added stress to people still raising children or working a full-time job. Well, you are not alone. More than one in five (21 percent) of Americans—53 million people—are providing unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs, according to a 2020 AARP survey. This represents an increase of nearly 10 million people from the 2015 survey. More than half (61 percent) of caregivers were employed, and 45 percent had experienced a financial impact due to caregiving. And that was before the pandemic hit.

When you’re loved one can no longer live at home safely without extra help…what are your options? Most family caregivers think there are only three: devote more caregiving time (by visiting or having them move in with you), pay for in-home care, or start considering an assisted living community. All three present new challenges. How can caregivers devote more time when they are working or have children to care for? In-home care can be expensive and loved ones may feel uncomfortable with people they don’t know. Your loved one may not want to move in with you and lose their independence, never mind creating the space and the changes to your family dynamics. And your loved one may simply not be ready to consider assisted living, or even want to talk about it. Never mind the considerable cost of such care.

There is, however, a fourth option.

Becoming a member at one of JABA’s Adult Care Centers in Charlottesville and Louisa.

While our Centers closed last year in response to the pandemic, we slowly re-opened following protocols and direction from the Blue Ridge Health District. Today, we are fully open but will, of course, be continuing to monitor trends in COVID-19 cases in the health district. Read more…