By 2030, all Baby Boomers will have reached age 65, meaning roughly one in five U.S. residents will be of retirement age at that time. Just a few years later – by 2034 – older adults are projected to outnumber children in the U.S. population for the first time in history. This unprecedented surge of seniors is expected to continue, with the 65+ population projected to reach approximately 78 million by 2040.
As America’s senior population grows, so does the need for family caregivers. In 2021–2022, approximately 37.1 million Americans provided unpaid care to a family member or friend aged 65 or older. This figure reflects a clear upward trend – a 2020 national report found about 53 million people were caregivers to loved ones of any age, up from roughly 43.5 million in 2015. As the number of older adults requiring support increases each year, more spouses, adult children, and friends will inevitably find themselves stepping into the role of caregiver for their elderly loved ones.
The privilege of caring for a loved one
Caring for a loved one is an undoubtedly rewarding experience. Many seniors are more comfortable receiving help from a loved one, especially when tasks like personal care come into question. Family and friends can read their elderly loved ones more clearly and more quickly than an outside caregiver would be able to.
Caregiving tasks may come on slowly. You may on occasion start helping with simple chores, like errands or laundry. As time goes by, however, those responsibilities build. It is still a rewarding experience, of course, but it is also an oftentimes stressful one. Especially when providing unpaid care impedes work and other personal responsibilities.
Get paid to care for a loved one in Illinois
According to AARP’s latest analysis, unpaid family caregivers now provide roughly 80% of all long-term care services in the United States.
To combat this problem, the IDoA developed its Community Care Program, which helps seniors, who might otherwise need a nursing facility, remain in the comfort of their homes. Through this program, contracted home care agencies provide unpaid caregivers training. This allows them to provide a higher standard of care to their loved ones and be paid while doing it. Caregivers must meet specific qualifications to provide care.
The caregiver must…
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have requisite education or experience
- High school diploma or GED
- 1 year comparable experience
- Have the authorization to work in the United States and reside in Illinois
- Pass background checks
- Complete orientation and training
To be eligible for the Community Care program, seniors must…
- Be 60 years of age or older
- Hold U.S. and Illinois citizenship
- Have non-exempt assets of $17,500 or less
- Be assessed for a need for long-term care
In order to receive care from a family member, both the caregiver and the elderly loved one must apply. While the family member trains to be their caregiver, the senior must request care through this program. Seniors then choose their preferred home care aide, and their family member is paid to care for a loved one in Illinois.
What types of in-home caregiving would I provide?
Family caregivers provide non-medical home care services to seniors. They cannot perform any medical procedures or administer medication. They can, however, assist with activities of daily living (or ADLs). These include:
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Personal care | May include assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and other grooming needs. |
| Medication reminders and management | Caregivers develop a set schedule with regular reminders so seniors take the right amount of medication precisely when required. |
| Light housekeeping | Dusting, mopping, laundry, and other tasks can be difficult for some seniors. Caregivers can help with these chores. |
| Errands | Grocery shopping, going to the post office, and other tasks can be difficult for seniors with mobility or driving issues. Caregivers can run errands for seniors. |
| Meal preparation | Caregivers can take over planning for, cooking, and cleaning up after meals. |
| Companionship and brain activities | Caregivers can help combat the isolation many seniors face when living alone, as well as provide brain activities to keep their minds active. |
Work with Home Care Powered by AUAF to become a paid family caregiver
Home Care Powered by AUAF is pleased to assist caregivers in receiving the compensation they deserve while caring for a loved one, while also providing support to Illinois seniors. Our training and hiring program provides you with the unparalleled training you require to deliver quality care to your loved one.
Caregivers are paid $20 an hour for their diligent, passionate work. Throughout the year, you will undergo further training to strengthen your skills and keep you up to date with the recent protocol. Training can be completed in person or online.
For over 30 years, we have served seniors and their families across the Chicago area. We are proud members of CLESE, the Coalition of Limited English-Speaking Elders, and proudly offer staff who are fluent in English, Assyrian, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Polish, and Persian. Chicago is a culturally diverse city, and we take pride in representing that diversity through our staff.
To learn more about our services, call us at 773-274-9262 or contact us here!
