Valuing the Invaluable

This issue brief, released by AARP in June 2007, tries to put a monetary value on the services provide by the “informal” or “family” caregiver. Informal caregivers provide the majority of long-term care services, yet they often go unrecognized. Furthermore, these informal caregivers often spend their own money to support family members in addition to losing wages and other job benefits, frequently having to cut back on work or give up working entirely. The issue brief concludes with some suggested policy changes that could be implemented at a small fraction of the value of the services these caregivers provide.