Care delivered by CT family members worth $5.9 billion, but capacity is uncertain

In 2013 almost half a million CT residents provided 427 million hours of unpaid critical health care services to family members according to an updatedreport by AARP. The value of that care was $5.9 billion, about what CT spends on Medicaid in total. Family care is expanding and becoming a vital piece of our health care system, as the job becomes more complex, costly, stressful and demanding. Most caregivers are employed, making this a business concern as much as a health system issue. The report outlines key challenges facing caregivers and policy recommendations that could help.