HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --On Thursday, Geneia President Heather Lavoie will lead a workshop at the Center for Women's Business Advancement 2nd Annual Women & Money Forum in Manchester, NH. In her presentation, Stuck in the Middle: Taking Care of Our Health and Money and Taking Care of Others, Heather will discuss her personal and professional experiences navigating the demands of a growing family, aging parents, and a career without sacrificing herself in the process.
"The typical family caregiver is a 49-year-old woman caring for her widowed 69-year-old mother who does not live with her. She is married and employed, and very frequently is also supporting young children in her home," said Heather Lavoie. "She is no different than I am. I have four school age children, aging parents, grandparents with acute and chronic illnesses, a recreational triathlon schedule, and a demanding job leading a health care start up."
Key caregiver statistics from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP include:
- Approximately66%of family caregivers are women. More than 37% have children or grandchildren under 18 years old living with them.
- More than65 million people - 29% of the U.S. population - provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one.
- Caregivers spend an average of 20 hours per weekcaring for their loved ones while13%of family caregivers are providing 40 hours of care a week or more.
- Women who are family caregivers are2.5 timesmore likely than non-caregivers to live in poverty andfive timesmore likely to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Recent analysis estimates lifetime income-related losses by caregivers leaving the workforce are $115,900 in wages, $137,980 in Social Security benefits, and $50,000 in pension benefits - $324,044, on average, for women.
"The economic analysis of women leaving the workforce is startling, and the impact of caregiving to their personal and financial health must not be underestimated. Women at all income levels need to carefully evaluate how and when to access and pay for outside help rather than quit or risk losing their job," said Heather Lavoie. "I learned early on that I need help, and I am no good to anyone else if I drive myself into the ground. I rely on a supportive husband, a reliable babysitter, a network of strong women friends, and a Google calendar to help manage everyone's activities."
Geneia also is a sponsor of the Women & Money Forum. More than 250 women are expected to gather at Southern New Hampshire University on Thursday, January 9th, for a day of workshops and networking. For more information on the event, visit http://bit.ly/19WvFrY.
ABOUT GENEIA
Geneia is a health care innovations company specializing in the development and deployment of clinical, analytic, and technical solutions for health care. Our staff of nearly 200 seasoned professionals including 100 nurses and physicians has significant experience in all aspects of health care. We develop, acquire, and market leapfrogging technologies to improve the cost of health care, and the health of the people we serve. The Geneia Institute educates clinicians and other health care professionals in population health, care coordination, and other emerging models. Geneia helps hospitals, physicians, health plans, brokers, employers, and their employees succeed in the post healthcare reform environment. For more information, visit www.geneia.com.
SOURCE Geneia
