Much Needed Relief Coming To Minnesota Family Caregivers

Before moving to Minnesota in 2023, I lived with my elderly mother who had to have someone with her 24 hours a day. While I worked during the day, my sister would stay with her, and then I was there every night and most weekends. No matter whether it was me or my sister with her, we couldn’t leave her alone. Taking a shower or getting a phone call was tricky. 

Caregiving is exhausting, most nights those who are caring for an elderly parent just fall into bed knowing that at any given time during the night they may be jarred from their bed because of a sound, or a cry in the night. 

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November will be Family Caregivers Month.

According to AARP Minnesota, one in five Minnesota residents are providing care for a parent or loved. Roughly $7,200 comes out of the caregiver's pocket with no way to be reimbursed.  

61% of Minnesotans who fill the role of caregiver are having to assist with the basic daily needs of dressing, feeding, bathing and going to the bathroom, and some of these caregivers have not had any proper training; they’re just doing what must be done.  

74% of these caregivers also work outside the home, which complicates all they’re facing even more. Many of these folks must miss work or reduce their hours to accommodate the care they have to give.  

Starting in January, the Minnesota Paid Leave and Family Program will go into effect that will allow 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a family member. This program offers protection of the user's job and partial wage replacement.  

This program will cover full-time, part-time and temporary workers and some seasonal workers as well.  

For those who are providing care for their loved ones, this will offer a little relief to the daily struggles they face.