News Release

Stroke survivors' caregiving costs more time and money than previously estimated

ISC 16 Wednesday news tips

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Heart Association

The average annual estimated cost for caregiving for an elderly stroke survivor is about $11,300, which translates to about $40 billion annually among all Medicare beneficiaries, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2016.

Researchers analyzed a large national study of Medicare beneficiaries, comparing caregiving between 892 stroke survivors and a similar group of Medicare beneficiaries, who had not had a stroke. Caregivers were defined as all people who helped with self-care, mobility or with household activities, which the care recipient could not do because of health or functioning.

On average, stroke survivors received about 22 hours of caregiving each week, which was about 10 hours more than the weekly amount of caregiving for those without stroke.

Previous research on caregiving for stroke survivors estimated that the average survivor received up to 16 hours a week hours of informal caregiving at a societal cost of as much as $26.8 billion a year. But these studies did not include activities, such as assistance with doctors' visits, health insurance decisions, transportation or money matters (opening or closing accounts, for example).

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Stroke Caregiver Resources
Emotional and Behavioral Conditions After Stroke
Join the AHA/ASA Support Network to talk with others going through similar journeys including depression after stroke.
Follow news from the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2016 via Twitter: @HeartNews #ISC16.

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.


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